Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys told AFP that “many players” are united on the issue of Grand Slam prize money and would boycott a major tournament if their voices are not heard.
Last year, almost all leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses, demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, and involvement in decisions that affect them.
The letters set a target of a 22 per cent share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour.
However, some players feel their demands are not being taken seriously.
“I think it’s incredibly important that the players have more of a voice when it comes to the big decisions that are being made,” World No. 19 Keys told AFP in Paris, where she is warming up for Roland Garros by playing in the WTA 125 Trophée Clarins event.
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“And I think that it has been many, many years where players have tried to come to the table and have the discussion and it hasn’t really gotten anywhere.”
The American added that seeing “so many players... unified” on the matter was “very inspiring”.
The strength of feeling has led to talk of a potential boycott of a Grand Slam tournament.
“We have kind of come together and agreed that if that’s what’s necessary, then we’ll do it,” Keys said.
“Hopefully it would never get to that point, but I think it’s great to see how many, especially so many of the younger players, are so willing to stand up for all players.”
Many are willing
The 31-year-old is the latest top player to address the matter after men’s World No. 1 Jannik Sinner last week called for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players “respect”.
Two days before Sinner’s comments, women’s World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she was ready to boycott the Grand Slams to force organisers’ hand.
Those comments came after players said in a statement that last month’s announcement by the French Open of a 9.5 per cent prize money increase was not good enough.
The statement said a 14 per cent increase in revenue last year only led to the total prize purse rising by 5.4 per cent, reducing the players’ share to 14.3 per cent.
Former World No. 5 Keys said that if there was a move to boycott upcoming majors this year, such as Roland Garros, which starts on May 24, or Wimbledon, she would heed the call.
“I think it’s one of those things where it’s just something that you talk about until it actually happens. So I’m as prepared to boycott as I need to be,” she said.
“It’s something that it seems as though many players are willing to do. So again, hopefully it doesn’t actually get to that point, but to see so many people that are willing to get to that point for all players, I think is inspiring.”
Published on May 13, 2026