Just three weeks ago, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz were crowned French Open champions — and both are among the favorites again as Wimbledon begins Monday.
Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion at the All England Club — could he become the fifth man in the Open era to achieve a three-peat at Wimbledon? Or will Jannik Sinner avenge his French Open final loss to Alcaraz to win his first Grand Slam title on grass?
Gauff, meanwhile, has now won two major titles but has never made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon. And the women’s field is wide open — the past eight Wimbledon titles have been won by different women.
Could Aryna Sabalenka win her first Wimbledon title? Or will Iga Swiatek bounce back from a difficult year to claim the crown?
And what about Novak Djokovic? Could he somehow win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title?
Our experts weigh in on these pressing questions and more.
How will Gauff follow up her French Open title?
D’Arcy Maine: Gauff arrives at Wimbledon — where she has been as beloved as just about any player since her breakthrough at the event in 2019 — brimming with confidence and self-belief and certainly could be in a position to have her best result at the tournament.
But it’s not going to be easy. Despite her auspicious debut six years ago at the All England Club in which she reached the fourth round, she has never advanced past that point and lost in her opening-round match in her lone grass-court lead-in event in Berlin earlier this month.
And, perhaps most importantly, she is in an incredibly tough quarter of the draw and could face a number of challenging opponents, including Dayana Yastremska in the first round, potential second- and third-round meetings with former Australian Open champions Victoria Azarenka and Sofia Kenin (who upset her at Wimbledon in 2023), grass standout Liudmila Samsonova in the fourth round and either five-time major victor Iga Swiatek or 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. So, that’s a tall order and I’m frankly exhausted just typing all of that. Gauff certainly could win all of those matches, but it seems unlikely she will win major title No. 3 during the fortnight.
Bill Connelly: Gauff is definitely to the point where it would not be a surprise if she won any single tournament — her defense and speed are always elite, as is her ability to grind out wins when things threaten to go wayward. But her draw has so many landmines, and she’s only 9-6 on grass over the past two years. In fact, even including that initial upset of Venus Williams six years ago, she’s just 7-9 all time against top-50 players on grass, including three straight losses. She’ll likely have to get past three top-50 players just to get to Rybakina or Swiatek in the quarterfinals. That sounds like a bit too much to ask.
Simon Cambers: This could go one of two ways. Either Gauff goes to Wimbledon feeling as if she can do anything, buoyed by the confidence of winning at Roland Garros, or she’ll be exhausted, mentally, and lose early. It’s a funny one, this. In some ways, she should be high on confidence after winning the French Open and there’s no doubt that she’ll be walking even taller after coming out on top in Paris.
But in another way, I feel as if she never really played her best at Roland Garros, and while that’s also her thing, doing what it takes to win even when she’s not playing great tennis, on grass, where the ball will be flashing around faster than it does on clay, she won’t have much time to get up to speed, especially if any part of her game is malfunctioning.
If she can serve well, then she’ll give herself a chance of doing well, because she moves great and competes as well as anyone. But her draw is very tough; Dayana Yastremska is no pushover first up, Sofia Kenin or Taylor Townsend might be awkward in the third round and then Daria Kasatkina in the fourth and either Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina would be ultratough in the quarters. If she can get to Week 2, she’ll be hard to beat but that won’t be easy.
If there’s another epic Alcaraz vs. Sinner clash, who will prevail?
Maine: At this stage, I’m going to have to go with recent history and take Alcaraz. He has won eight of their 12 career meetings, including the past five. Sinner hasn’t beaten Alcaraz — on any surface, in any round of any tournament — since 2023 and has defeated him only once (three years ago) with a title on the line.
Sinner is No. 1 in the world for good reason and can beat everyone else, but Alcaraz seems to be his kryptonite. For now, anyway. (But I’ll reserve my Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova comparison for a later date.) And, since Alcaraz is the two-time defending Wimbledon champion and coming off yet another grass title at Queen’s Club, and Sinner has advanced only once to the semifinals at the All England Club, it certainly feels as if the odds would be in Alcaraz’s favor again.
Connelly: Alcaraz better hope it’s him. We’ve entered a period where it feels as if he’ll be the favorite in the natural-surface Slams (French Open, Wimbledon), and Sinner will be the favorite on hard courts (US Open, Australian Open). But obviously that French Open final was as even as possible — total points: Sinner 193, Alcaraz 192 — and had Sinner won basically one more point at the right time, we’d be talking about him having a chance at a calendar-year Slam and ripping off a “Roger Federer, 2004-07” run of Slams.
Alcaraz is definitely the favorite, both because he’s far more proven on grass and because Sinner might have to get past Djokovic on what is Djokovic’s best surface and Sinner’s worst. But … Sinner seems to be figuring things out.
Cambers: Alcaraz has the pedigree on grass, having won the title in each of the past two years, even if Sinner did win their only previous battle on the surface, at Wimbledon in 2022. Everything depends on how quickly Sinner is able to get over what happened in Paris. He seems the kind of person who can compartmentalize, who can rationalize that tournament as a good one, a step forward, even if others would be crumbling after failing on three match points in a Slam final. But it’s hard to see him being at his best again just yet, especially on a surface which, in theory, can give him issues.
Alcaraz will be tired, too, but as he showed at Queen’s, when he came through a bunch of tight matches to win the title, he will improve as the tournament progresses. With a good draw early, he can ease into the event and then will strengthen as the bigger matches arrive. If they do meet again here, that means it’s the final and you’d have to give Alcaraz the edge, mentally, simply because of what happened in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz returns to competitive action after the French Open in Tuesday’s Queen’s Club Championships first-round match against countryman Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Although the 2023 Queen’s champion is the favourite to win the all-Spanish tournament opener, the five-time Grand Slam champion will remain cautious of his compatriot, who aims to be third-time lucky after narrow defeats in their first two matchups on the ATP Tour
The dust has hardly settled on Alcaraz’s successful title defence at Roland Garros, and now the Spanish sensation must refocus to begin the short grass season in preparation for a possible Wimbledon three-peat.
The Queen’s Club holds tremendous sentiment for the 22-year-old, whose first of three titles on grass came in West Kensington two years ago when he defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets in 2023.
While last year’s title defence barely got off the ground, winning the crown two years ago served as the springboard Alcaraz needed to upset Novak Djokovic in the Championships; he then repeated the feat 12 months later in the 2024 final, this time outclassing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in straight sets.
The Spaniard makes another appearance in the London ATP 500 event on a 13-match winning streak, having last lost to Holger Rune in Barcelona, and that defeat remains the world No. 2’s only loss in his last 23 matches on tour.
The top seed in Queen’s begins his third appearance boasting a 6-1 record at the ATP 500 event and aims to enhance that positive record and his overall 24-3 grass-court record to advance to the second round contest against Jordan Thompson or fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar.
Facing a motivated Davidovich Fokina could present challenges for the No. 1 seed, especially after the high of a second French Open success.
However, the world No. 27 will know that the 2023 champion will not offer him gifts in Tuesday’s matchup, as he aims to improve a career 6-10 record on grass.
Coincidentally, the 26-year-old’s best result on the surface was at Queen’s two years ago when he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Botic van de Zandschulp in two sets.
Since that defeat, the 26-year-old has managed only three wins out of nine on the surface, with his last victory at Wimbledon two years ago.
The former No. 21 player enters this year’s Queen’s event on a two-match losing streak in grass-court events: a third-round five-set thriller against Holger Rune at Wimbledon two years ago and a first-round defeat to Alejandro Tabilo in West Kensington 12 months ago.
A year after that three-set loss to Tabilo, Davidovich Fokina, who has a 6-10 career record on grass, seeks a seventh win at the expense of the 2023 champion at Queen’s.
While Davidovich Fokina has struggled to secure wins on grass in his last nine matches, eight of those encounters have not concluded in straight sets.
Although Alcaraz’s two previous victories over his compatriot have been in two sets, the No. 27 player in the world could find third-time luck this time and potentially clinch a set.
However, Davidovich Fokina is unlikely to achieve more than that, as Alcaraz is favoured to progress to a second match in West Kensington.
Carlos Alcaraz shows his true colors with behavior as John McEnroe claim made
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have been hailed for their sportsmanship – both on and off the court – as they continue to uphold the legacy of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz’s recent victory at the French Open has solidified his position as one of tennis’s biggest stars, and potentially one of its all-time greats.
However, it is his demeanor away from the court that has truly captivated audiences. The 22-year-old from Spain conducted himself with exceptional grace throughout the event at Roland Garros – ultimately claiming the title after a gripping five-set showdown with Jannik Sinner in the final – frequently acknowledging misjudged calls from line officials by awarding points to his opponent.
This commendable honesty reflected the integrity long associated with icons like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Like them, Alcaraz is able to switch between in-game intensity and down-to-earth humility with ease, and his approachable, modest nature has turned him into of of the most universally beloved sports stars on the planet.
Federer and Nadal built careers out of keeping calm, professional and respectful under pressure, no matter the stakes – and Alcaraz is following suit. In contrast to the fiery demeanors of past icons such as John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, Alcaraz signals the rise of a modern champion: fierce in battle but gracious and likable before, during and after.
It’s an approach that has earned admiration from former French Open champion Michael Chang, who, like Alcaraz, made waves as a teenaged prodigy. “The generation that we followed was very competitive, [players] didn’t really talk to each other,” Chang, 53, told Clay Tennis.
“Alcaraz and Sinner have a very healthy respect for one another. Different than in years past, like a McEnroe-Connors or a McEnroe-[Ivan] Lendl. There was no friendship there. Federer and Nadal changed the culture in the locker room, to be honest,” he explained.
“On court, it’s business: you want to play your best and beat your opponent, but off court they were kind to everyone, whether you were world No. 2 or No. 100 in doubles. Roger, Rafa, and even Novak [Djokovic] are responsible for that transformation.
“They treated everyone the same and were kind. I think that respect has carried over to the current generation because they respect everyone.”
Sinner – who, like Alcaraz, is tipped to be a dominant force for years to come – embodies this emerging standard as well. The Italian mirrors Alcaraz’s unique blend of ambition and courtesy, as seen in his gracious speech following his heart-wrenching defeat in Paris on Sunday.
Despite controlling much of the match – and missing three consecutive Championship points in the fourth set – the 23-year-old admitted Alcaraz “deserved” the title and said he was “so happy” for his rival. He went on to recognize the efforts of ball kids, line judges, and chair officials, noting that players “couldn’t do it without” their support.
Sinner entered the tournament under scrutiny, having recently completed what many believed to be a lenient ban after a failed doping test in 2024. Nevertheless, his powerful run and humble behavior throughout the event helped him win back respect from fellow players and supporters alike.
In similar fashion, Alcaraz dazzled with jaw-dropping winners, explosive athleticism, and relentless energy. But it was his humility and professionalism that left the deepest impression. On numerous occasions – including in the final – he conceded points without hesitation when spotting line judge mistakes, drawing gushing praise from fans in the arena and online.
With Federer and Nadal seen, to some extent, as the originators of this ethos, it’s now Alcaraz and Sinner who are advancing that legacy. Their combination of fierce competition and authentic respect is helping to redefine tennis’s cultural landscape, showing that dominance doesn’t require drama or outbursts.
In a sport once infamous for tantrums and bitter rivalries, these emerging stars are offering a refreshing alternative – showing strength through composure and honor through humility.
Iga Swiatek messages both Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz after their titles at the French Open
Iga Swiatek failed to defend her French Open title, but she did manage to reach the semi-finals as Coco Gauff won the title.
Aryna Sabalenka thinks Swiatek has lost confidence, making the claim after winning their semi-final at Roland Garros.
Swiatek had previously won the last three French Open titles before WTA number two Gauff secured her first.
Sabalenka thinks Swiatek would have beaten Gauff had they played the final, but it was instead played out between the American and the Belarusian.
And it was Gauff who emerged victorious, coming from behind to defeat the world number one 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-4.
Iga Swiatek messages French Open champions Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz meanwhile won the title on the ATP Tour, defeating world number one Jannik Sinner in the French capital.
And both the Spaniard and Gauff have now received messages from Swiatek following their titles at the French Open.
She wrote on Instagram: “Thank you Paris and Roland Garros! It’s been an amazing time on and off the court with some great challenges and high-quality matches.
“I’m very proud of the work we put together with my team and I definitely also learned some lessons. Every year in Paris gives me energy boost for the rest of the season and with that being said I’m starting my preparation to the grass season very, very soon.”
“Congrats Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz for your [trophies] and guys… what an absolutely mesmerising tennis we’ve seen from both of you. Wow.”
Gauff was quick to reply to her fellow WTA star, with the 21-year-old saying to the Pole: “Thank you so much Iga [smiley face]!”
Is Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka the new Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka?
Gauff is clearly grateful for the support, which has been a common theme in women’s tennis in recent times.
There is a clear mutual respect among competitors, with that feeling particularly true of American women, who are constantly pushing each other to raise their levels.
At the same time, however, there is still a real competitiveness and many exciting rivalries are undoubtedly playing out.
Swiatek and Sabalenka was one such rivalry, with the pair having battled it out for the world number one spot and for many titles once upon a time.
But there may just be a changing of the tides on the WTA Tour, with Sabalenka and Gauff potentially the next big rivalry.
They also met in the Madrid Open final last month, where the Belarusian defeated the American in straight sets.
Rank
Player
Age
Points
1
Aryna Sabalenka
27
11,553
2
Coco Gauff
21
8,083
3
Jessica Pegula
31
6,483
4
Jasmine Paolini
29
4,805
5
Qinwen Zheng
22
4,668
6
Mirra Andreeva
18
4,636
7
Iga Swiatek
24
4,618
8
Madison Keys
30
4,484
9
Paula Badosa
27
3,684
10
Emma Navarro
24
3,649
WTA Tour top 10
Sabalenka remains top of the world rankings heading into the grass season, while Gauff is right behind her in second.
Swiatek meanwhile, a former world number one, has just dropped two places to seventh after the French Open.
Jim Courier points out where Carlos Alcaraz is even ahead of Rafael Nadal as he reaches the French Open final
Carlos Alcaraz is into another French Open final, having beaten Lorenzo Musetti this afternoon.
The match started off as if it was due to be a long, drawn-out affair, but once the 22-year-old got firing it became one-way traffic.
He brushed off the setback of losing the first set to wrestle the second in a tiebreak before bagelling the Italian in the third.
However, it swiftly became clear that something was wrong with Musetti, a notion confirmed when he called for the trainer. His movement had slowed and the match had got away from him, leading to his sad retirement.
Despite that, Andre Agassi was still left stunned by what he had seen, with Jim Courier going as far as to state that Carlos Alcaraz has surpassed Rafael Nadal in one key area.
Carlos Alcaraz told the area of his game where he’s surpassed Rafael Nadal
Given his current trajectory, the young Spaniard is actually on track to mimic what his legendary compatriot did in terms of Grand Slams won, such is the scale of his winning record at these elite events.
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz is a mainstay at the latter stages of almost every event he participates in, with the French Open his latest favourite after making Wimbledon his own too.
His game is perfectly moulded for every surface, but clay in particular is proving a true success. Agassi started his praise by stating: ‘I mean, look at the average speed of his forehand compared to his fastest. He never knows what’s coming off the racket and what that doesn’t say is how feathery his touch is as well.’
Courier would follow that up by comparing Alcaraz to Nadal, noting: ‘And with that forehand, just to put those numbers into context, that’s the same type of rotation on the forehand that Nadal got in his career, which revolutionised the sport. Don’t take my word for it, Andre had to play it. But the speed of the shot is so much greater than Rafa’s.
‘Rafa’s forehand was in the high 70s. If you can hit it that hard with that much control, it can cause problems and force you to basically push your body past its limits, which is what happened with Musetti.’
Andre Agassi praised one area of Alcaraz’s game that’s changed, but some traits he boasts are simply so good they barely need improvement.
Carlos Alcaraz reaches yet another French Open final
It seems that, once Alcaraz decides he likes an event, he develops a fascination with winning it.
At Wimbledon, he was not content with claiming a dramatic five-set victory over Novak Djokovic, so had to follow that up by crushing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in straights.
And, having reached the French Open last year, he seems poised to mimic that feat on the Parisian clay.
He is yet to learn who his opponent will be, but knows that it will either be Djokovic again or Jannik Sinner, his generational rival who he overcame at this event last year.
Neither will pose an easy afternoon for Alcaraz on Sunday, but the tennis community is at least guaranteed a blockbuster clash as one of these two superstars seeks to wrestle the title from the defending champion.
Carlos Alcaraz backs hometown club Real Murcia during Roland Garros practice
Both will be in semifinal action this weekend: Alcaraz against Musetti at Roland Garros, and Murcia in the Primera Federación’s fight for promotion.
PARIS, France — Carlos Alcaraz is always repping his hometown of Murcia—and at Roland Garros, he’s doing it both on and off the court.
The 22-year-old was caught on behind-the-scenes cameras grinning as he received a Real Murcia CF jersey before a Wednesday practice session. Alcaraz proudly put it on over his long-sleeve training top, patting the team’s crest and pointing to it with a smile.
His hometown club, Real Murcia, competes in Spain’s third division—the Primera Federación—and is currently in the hunt for promotion to LaLiga 2. They’ll face Gimnàstic Tarragona on Saturday in a must-win semifinal—just one day after Alcaraz takes on No. 8 seed Lorenzo Musetti for a spot in the Roland Garros final.
“TOGETHER with Carlos Alcaraz, we’re going for the semifinals of our playoffs and of Roland Garros,” the club shared on social media, alongside photos of the No. 2 seed wearing their signature red kit.
Despite a globe-trotting tennis career, Alcaraz remains closely tied to his roots. He still lives with his parents in El Palmar, Murcia, and even flew his personal barber from home to Paris last week for a mid-tournament haircut.
On court, Alcaraz’s practice sessions have also drawn attention. Before his first match in Paris, he was seen doing return drills with his older brother, Álvaro—with a twist.
Alcaraz closed his eyes until he heard the sound of his brother’s racquet hitting the ball, then opened them and took a swing.
“It’s about the reaction, you know,” Alcaraz explained earlier in the week. “We set up the practices with what I have to do (a few) days before the tournament began…
“My fitness coach did that exercise for me just to be ready and get good reactions for the return. And for whatever the match demanding (from me, just to have good reactions.”
Former Tennis Star Drops Bombshell: Jannik Sinner’s Path to Victory at 2025 Roland Garros Unveiled!
Get ready for a showdown at the 2025 Roland Garros as rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz gear up to battle for the championship title. The competition is heating up, with 22-year-old Alcaraz emerging as a top contender for the trophy, having clinched victories in Monte Carlo and Rome Masters 1000 tournaments on clay courts.
The young Spaniard is on a mission to iron out the inconsistencies in his game and has showcased stellar performance in the early rounds of the French Open. Meanwhile, Sinner, known for not excelling on red clay, made a strong comeback after a hiatus by reaching the final at the Rome Masters 1000, proving his readiness to compete at the highest level.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on these two formidable players as they navigate their way through tough opponents. Expert analysis from former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone sheds light on the intense rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, highlighting the unpredictability and strength that Alcaraz brings to the court, posing a significant challenge for Sinner.
With both players demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, the stage is set for a thrilling face-off that could redefine the landscape of men’s tennis. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at Roland Garros, where history is in the making and a new champion is poised to emerge victoriously.
PARIS — Carlos Alcaraz powered into the French Open second round on Monday with a resounding win to start his title defense, while world No 1 Jannik Sinner and three-time defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek also progressed at Roland Garros.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz struck 31 winners in a 6-3,6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri and will face Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan in round two.
Alcaraz is now on an eight-match winning streak at the French Open, and also took Olympic silver at Roland Garros last year, losing the final to Novak Djokovic.
“The first round is never easy, and coming here as a champion is even more difficult,” said the Spaniard, who has won both the Monte Carlo Masters and Rome Open titles on clay this year.
“But, I started well, found my rhythm, and I’m happy with my start.”
Alcaraz beat Sinner in straight sets in the Rome final just over a week ago, as the Italian returned from a three-month doping ban.
Two-time reigning Australian Open champion Sinner saw off home hope Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 despite a brief third-set wobble in the night session on Court Philippe Chatrier.
It was the first of two successive French opponents for Sinner, who will meet the retiring Richard Gasquet in the second round after the 38-year-old extended his career with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over wildcard Terence Atmane in his 22nd and final Roland Garros appearance.
“I know you’re going to support him (Gasquet), it’s OK, I know that,” Sinner told the crowd, whose earlier arrival on court was greeted with loud cheers.
“I’m just happy to share a court with him.”
The 75th-ranked Rinderknech fought hard to the delight of the home fans, and led 4-0 in the third set.
But, he failed to serve out the set at 5-3 ahead, and Sinner roared back to secure a straight-sets success with a run of five successive games.
Taylor Fritz of the United States became the first high-profile casualty in the men’s draw, as the fourth seed lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 to German Daniel Altmaier.
Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud, a two-time French Open runner-up, got his bid for a first Grand Slam title under way with a 6-3, 6-4,6-2 win over veteran Spanish qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, the losing finalist in 2021, beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina 7-5,6-3, 6-4.
Two-time quarterfinalist Holger Rune of Denmark also progressed, recovering from losing a first-set tiebreak to defeat Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets, as did French No 1 Arthur Fils.
Swiatek cruises through
Swiatek entered the tournament on a nearly yearlong trophy drought, but showed signs of form in a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova.
Her struggles since the last of her four French Open titles have been well documented, but she broke her 42nd-ranked opponent four times in a strong display.
The five-time Grand Slam champion’s remarkable win-loss record in the tournament now stands at 36-2.
“I knew I needed to stay proactive and try to use my weapons. I’m happy with my performance, and it was a solid match,” said Swiatek, who also beat Sramkova in the second round of this year’s Australian Open.
Swiatek, who has dropped to fifth in the world rankings, will next face former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, after the Briton defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.
Raducanu is playing at the French Open for the first time since a second-round exit on her debut in 2022.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, who had a match point against Swiatek in the second round at Roland Garros a year ago, was knocked out by Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa in a tense three-set battle.
Badosa, an Australian Open semifinalist earlier this year, fought back from a set down to win 6-7 (1), 6-1,6-4.
Osaka has still never got past the third round at Roland Garros.
Former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina battled past Argentinian qualifier Julia Riera 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, two days after lifting her first WTA title since April 2024 in Strasbourg.
American ninth seed Emma Navarro suffered an embarrassing 6-0, 6-1 loss to Spanish world No 68 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in just 57 minutes, only winning a game when her opponent double-faulted to gift her a break when serving for a double-bagel victory.
But, her compatriot Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, had no such problems, swatting aside Daria Saville 6-2, 6-1.
Alcaraz, Sinner, Swiatek and Gauff present as top tennis stars hold showdown talks with Grand Slam bosses
A group of top-10 WTA and ATP stars met with the chiefs of each of the four Grand Slams at Roland Garros on Thursday to discuss prize money, player welfare and giving them more say in decisions that directly impact them at the majors.
As previously reported by the Associated Press, the elite of the women’s and men’s tours, including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, signed a letter to the four slams at the end of March, requesting an in-person meeting with the heads of the four majors to bring forth the aforementioned issues.
The meeting, which was initially meant to take place at the Madrid Open last month, finally materialised in Paris on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s start of the French Open.
Talks lasted around an hour and The National understands it was attended by Alcaraz, Sinner and Casper Ruud from the ATP Tour, and Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and Gauff from the WTA Tour.
The players are seeking a greater percentage of tournament revenue, would like the slams to make financial contributions to the player welfare programmes funded by the tours, and perhaps more importantly, demand a seat at the table when it comes to some of the major decisions taken that impact competition, and their wellbeing at tournaments.
In Madrid a few weeks ago, Gauff noted the disparity between the percentage of revenue dedicated to athletes in other sports compared to tennis.
“As you know, tennis and the percentage shared in revenue isn’t nearly as close as other sports. So, I definitely think that’s something in our sport that we can do. It won’t only benefit top players, it will also benefit lower-ranked players as well,” said the American.
“In other sports, you look at the 100th best player in maybe basketball or football or soccer or anything, and the percentage that they give versus our 100th or 200th best is not great.
“So, I think for us, we kind of understood maybe the privilege and the audience that we can get as top players to kind of make that change. So, we just sent that letter, and hopefully to have the conversation get started, and hopefully how that can improve in the future.”
The majors have been increasing their prize money commitment almost every year. This year, Roland Garros is offering a total prize pot of €56.352 million, up 5.21 per cent from last year. There will be prize money increases in every round and the men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn €2.55 million.
Gauff added: “I’m very aware that we are professional athletes, and we do live a very privileged life and make money doing something that, you know, is pretty easy. Not easy, but you know what I mean. I think it’s just a very nuanced conversation.”
“I always say this, especially as a female athlete in tennis, I always say that when I look at other sports, we’re very privileged. You look at WNBA and even some of the soccer, and the money they’re getting for the amount of effort they put in is not close.
“So, I’m very lucky that tennis had pioneers like Billie Jean King and Venus Williams [who] started that conversation very early on. So, yeah, I think it’s just continuing that conversation within our sport, but also having that conversation so that other sports can reach that too.”
The fact that the women and men are coming together to raise such issues is fairly unprecedented, especially in recent tennis history.
MASON, OHIO – AUGUST 19: Iga Swiatek of Poland congratulates Coco Gauff after their match during the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2023 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)55
Conversations about approaching the Grand Slams started several months ago and were spearheaded by members of the WTA Player Council, according to world No 3 Pegula.
The letter sent to the majors coincided with the antitrust lawsuit filed by the PTPA, a player association co-founded by Djokovic, against the ATP and WTA tours but Pegula insists the two initiatives are completely unrelated.
“It’s totally unrelated. 100 per cent unrelated,” Pegula said in Madrid. “It’s something that we were working on seven, eight months ago. So it’s just been in the works. I don’t want to say, like, too much because it hasn’t really gone anywhere yet. It’s just started. It’s new.
“But I’ll definitely say it’s not related to what the PTPA are doing. It was honestly just a coincidence of the timing.”
Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys was part of the early conversations sparked by the WTA Player Council. The American world No 7 believes having a seat, and a voice, at the table is will be crucial moving forward.
“We really wanted to have a more open communication with the slams and just at least know what was going on. And so that was really a big thing that we kind of started and pushed,” said Keys in the Spanish capital.
“And I feel like it’s just been years and years of finally getting it here. And I would imagine that the council at this point felt like it was a good time to bring the men in as well and have a unified voice.
“But yeah, it’s just we want some more open communication and just the ability to kind of be in the room when decisions are being made.”
While full details of what happened in the meeting are yet to be revealed, The National understands that a formal letter will be sent by the players requesting the Grand Slams commit to a timeline to start addressing their demands.
