KEY POINTS
- Djokovic and the top 20 players are petitioning for higher prize money at Grand Slam
- The US Open recently increased prize money by 20pc, but Djokovic says more improvements are needed
NEW YORK: Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has called for a significant increase in prize money at tennis Grand Slams, arguing that players across all rankings should receive a fairer share as tournament revenues continue to rise.
Djokovic believes all players deserve more, as these events make more money than ever before.
Recently, the top 20 men’s and women’s players joined Djokovic by signing a petition calling for a bigger share of the earnings from the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
This month, the US Open announced a 20% rise in prize money, reaching a total of $90 million. While Djokovic welcomed this increase, he said it’s still not enough. “It’s a good start, but there’s a lot more to be done,” he said.
The Serbian star also stressed that not just the top players, but those ranked lower should benefit from higher payouts. He reminded everyone that with rising costs of living, inflation must be taken into account when setting prize money.
His call for fairness comes as his group, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA), is in a legal fight with tennis authorities over how players are treated and how the sport is managed.
Djokovic is gearing up to start his US Open 2025 journey this Sunday in New York, facing young American Learner Tien at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
