Tennis stars to limit media at Wimbledon in prize money protest, extending French Open action

The protest expands to Wimbledon

After trialling a similar action at the French Open, a group of leading players have informed Wimbledon organisers that they will restrict pre-tournament media day interviews and post‑match pressers throughout the tournament's opening week. The 15‑minute cap directly mirrors the percentage of revenue the All England Club currently allocates to prize money, a figure the players say is slightly below 15%. Saturday, 27 June, is the traditional pre‑championship media day, and the limitation will apply to most top‑10 competitors, including world number ones Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, the reigning men’s champion.

Prize money and the revenue gap

Wimbledon announced a 20% year‑on‑year increase on 11 June, lifting the total prize pot to a record £64.2 million (€74.4 million), the largest single‑year hike in the tournament’s history. Singles champions will collect £3.6 million each, while first‑round losers will receive £80,000. Despite the boost, the players’ share of projected revenue sits at 14.4%, marginally higher than the 14.3% paid at Roland Garros but still below the 14.9% the tournament returned ten years ago. The players’ representatives, including former WTA chief Larry Scott, had urged the Grand Slams to commit to a minimum 16% in 2026, while Spanish‑language reports note a longer‑term demand to reach 22% by 2030.

Wimbledon replies with disappointment

The All England Lawn Tennis Club said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the threatened boycott, insisting that players are “at the heart of all our decisions”. Chair Debbie Jevans, who met with Scott during the French Open, stressed that the club is a not‑for‑profit organisation that channels 90% of its surplus into British tennis and invests heavily in player facilities.

Using revenue to determine prize money makes no sense. We are not‑for‑profit, and very different to a Masters 1000.

BBC pundit Andrew Castle called the protest “tone deaf” during Wimbledon qualifying coverage.

Player solidarity and the fight for fairness

Speaking at the French Open, Sabalenka argued the campaign is not about star players. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz also took part in the Paris action, though Novak Djokovic did not. Sinner has previously described the issue as one of “respect”. French Open champion Mirra Andreeva exceeded the 15‑minute limit during her press engagements in Paris, highlighting that adherence is not uniform.

It’s about the players who are lower in the rankings, who are struggling, for players coming back from injuries, for the next generation. I feel I have to stand up and fight for these players.

You know how much we respect you. It’s not against you, we’re just trying to fight for a fairer percentage.

What to expect when play begins

With the Championships starting on Monday, 29 June, and running until 12 July, the media boycott is scheduled to last the entire first week. The players’ statement, released on 24 June, acknowledged the “welcome recent 20% increase” but insisted structural questions remain unresolved. No official talks are yet scheduled, but the action sets up a tense opening to the sport’s oldest major.