Why tennis stars are continuing prize money protest at Wimbledon

Business & FinanceSports
26 Jun 2026 • 9:20 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Why tennis stars are continuing prize money protest at Wimbledon

  • Leading tennis players, including defending champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, will stage protests at Wimbledon by limiting their media commitments to 15 minutes per match day during the first week, starting with pre-tournament press conferences, after also taking similar action at the French Open.
  • This collective action stems from players' demands for a “fairer” share of tournament revenues, with their representatives estimating their share of Wimbledon's projected 2026 revenues at 14.4%, a decrease from a decade ago, and aiming for 22% by 2030.
  • Despite the protests, the All England Club announced a record 20% increase in prize money for this year's tournament, reaching an overall £64.2 million, with singles champions receiving £3.6 million each.
  • Wimbledon officials expressed “surprise and disappointment” at the players' actions, arguing that a revenue-sharing formula is unrealistic given their not-for-profit status and commitment to reinvesting 90% of surplus funds into British tennis.
  • Players are also advocating for a player welfare fund, the formation of a player council, and greater consultation on tournament matters, with warnings that they are “reserving all options” for future strike action if their demands are not met.

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