Players Demand Fair Pay: Record Prize Money at Australian Open Sparks Wider Debate

The Australian Open announced a new record of A$111.5 million in prize money, sparking calls from players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka for more equitable payouts across all Grand Slams. Despite increases at the French Open and Wimbledon, players argue for a fairer distribution aligned with tournament revenues.

The Australian Open is setting a new benchmark this year by offering A$111.5 million ($74.73 million) in prize money, a record sum that players have applauded. However, leading figures in the sport, including Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, insist that prize money must further increase across all Grand Slam tournaments to match the revenue they generate.

Although the French Open and Wimbledon increased their prize pools to $65.42 million and $71.6 million respectively last year, they lag behind the U.S. Open's $90 million purse. Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, views the Australian Open's prize money uptick as a positive move but emphasizes that more should be done, given the tournament's substantial revenue of $467.33 million reported last year.

Gauff and other players argue that a larger slice of this revenue should rightfully go to the players, the sport's key stakeholders. The Professional Tennis Players' Association, despite Novak Djokovic's past involvement, continues advocating for better pay. Tennis officials, like those from the French and U.S. Opens, have expressed willingness to foster open dialogues with players to secure the sport's sustainable future.