Tennis players end Wimbledon media protest after club commits to prize-money reform proposals

Protest called off after weekend talks

Top players at Wimbledon ended their media protest on Monday after crisis talks with the All England Club over the weekend. The group, represented by former WTA chief executive Larry Scott, had planned to restrict post-match press conferences to 15 minutes throughout the first week, extending a tactic first used at last month's French Open. But the club's leadership, including chair Debbie Jevans, tournament director Jamie Baker and board member Tim Henman, held discussions that the player group described as "constructive."

“Constructive dialogue with Wimbledon and the other Grand Slams will continue. The players and the Club will make no further comment at this time.”

Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton welcomed the decision.

“I think it's great news that we and they can now just concentrate on the championships and on the tennis.”

The All England Club committed to returning with specific proposals addressing three demands: increasing prize money as a proportion of tournament revenue, contributing to a player welfare fund, and creating a formal player council for the Grand Slams.

What the players want

The central grievance is that only around 15 percent of Wimbledon's revenue is distributed as prize money. Players are pushing for at least 16 percent this year, climbing to a target of 22 percent by 2030 (the level they say is typical on the ATP and WTA Tours). Wimbledon this year announced a record 20 percent prize money increase to £64.2 million ($85.8 million), but player representatives described that as a "welcome step forward" that still fell short of the roughly £70 million they had sought.

“We are not at the point where we are 100 per cent happy.”

The Italian world number one stressed that the dispute was not just about money but also about player welfare. The players argue that top athletes in other major sports, such as football, typically earn a larger share of the revenues their competitions generate.

How the protest escalated

The dispute with the four Grand Slams began in March 2025, when around 20 leading players sent a letter demanding changes. The group, dubbed Project RedEye, first experimented with a 15-minute media limit at the pre-tournament press day of the French Open in May, a deliberately symbolic number matching the prize-money share they claimed. When Wimbledon unveiled its 20 percent hike without additional structural changes, the players announced they would extend the limit into the first week of the Championships (an escalation that caught the AELTC off guard).

Not all players adhered strictly to the limit. American Ben Shelton, the No. 4 seed, told reporters he viewed Wimbledon as a special place that had always treated him well and chose to give more time.

What happens next

The statement from the player group made clear that the core issues are far from settled.

“The underlying matters remain unresolved and players will carefully evaluate the proposals once received.”

Players will also provide the All England Club with further information it requested in connection with the proposals during the tournament. For now, both sides have agreed to focus on the tennis.

“I really hope we can finally get to the table and really get it done, come to a conclusion that everyone is going to be happy with.”