Tennis stars advocate for reform amid ongoing conflict
A group of top men's and women's tennis players has sent a second set of letters to the Grand Slam tournaments, urging for changes in the sport. The letter, dated July 30, was signed by many leading players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. Notably, Novak Djokovic, who signed the initial letter on March 21, did not sign this one.
The recent letter included additional players like Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Amanda Anisimova, reflecting their improved rankings by the end of July. The group aims to represent players at all levels and has reiterated their desire for reforms in three key areas from the Slams.
Jessica Pegula, world No. 7 and one of the signatories, expressed her disapproval of the extended tournament schedule, citing concerns about its impact on players who compete the week before a Slam. An Australian Open representative clarified that revenue from the first Sunday ticket sales was allocated to the players.
The players, who have hired former WTA chief executive Larry Scott to advocate for them, engaged in discussions with the Slams at the French Open and Wimbledon. The talks were described as productive, with the players presenting their case in Paris and receiving responses in London. The Slams' position aligns with their vision for a more streamlined calendar to attract more fans and sponsors.
The players' initial letter to the Slams was sent amidst a turbulent period for tennis, shortly after the launch of an antitrust lawsuit by the Professional Tennis Player Association (PTPA). The lawsuit, co-founded by Novak Djokovic, initially named the Grand Slams as "co-conspirators" but later included them as defendants in the legal action.
Despite efforts to address player concerns, the players feel that the Slams' responses have not directly tackled their issues. The players emphasize the importance of having a genuine voice in decisions that affect them. The impasse between the players and the majors has led to no further formal talks scheduled at present.