Aryna Sabalenka has tossed a grenade into the genteel world of tennis by suggesting that top players might just say "no thanks" to grand slam tournaments unless they start getting a bigger slice of the revenue pie. Speaking at the Italian Open with the casual authority of someone who has nothing to lose except a few million dollars, Sabalenka declared that a boycott is inevitable. "I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah," she said, adding that it's "the only way to fight for our rights."
Her comments follow a coordinated statement from the top 20 male and female players criticizing prize money levels at the upcoming French Open. Sabalenka, who clearly believes the players are the main attraction, argued that without them, the tournaments would be just empty courts and overpriced strawberries. "Definitely when you see the number and you see the amount the players [are] receiving … I feel like the show is on us," she said, urging a fairer cut. The player group has been firing off signed letters and public statements at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open for the past year, demanding better revenue sharing and contributions to welfare funds like the ATP and WTA pension initiatives.
Iga Swiatek, ever the diplomat, offered a more measured take, calling for "proper communication and discussions" before Roland Garros. She admitted a boycott feels "a bit extreme" but noted that recent off-court dramas have united the top women. Sabalenka, however, is all in, predicting that players will band together: "I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it's really unfair to the players."