The world's most prestigious tennis tournaments — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open — have created a special council to give players greater input into matters involving the biggest events in the sport. This was reported by infohub.kz.
The creation of the Grand Slam Player Advisory Council was officially announced by the organizers of these four tournaments on Thursday. The council will begin its work after the final major of the year, which takes place next week in New York.
Players have been seeking a larger share of revenues from the Grand Slams, as well as better representation, health options, and pensions. Some players limited their media appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon as a protest, and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff were among the stars who even threatened a potential boycott of the Slams before play began in Paris if they didn't start receiving more compensation.
"The Grand Slams are the biggest events of the year and the events that the players prioritize and focus on throughout the season," said American Jessica Pegula, the No. 3-ranked woman, in a statement. "Their impact on a player's career cannot be overstated, and that is why it is so important that we have a voice in matters at these tournaments."
The Grand Slam organizers noted that the goal of the council is to strengthen the partnership between the tournaments and the players, as well as to take into account players' opinions in solving sporting matters. Currently, the composition and structure of the council are being developed, and interested players will be invited to apply for positions.
The council will provide a forum for players to discuss matters that affect the Grand Slams collectively, as well as topics such as prize money and player welfare with each of the tournaments individually. The Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open are operated by non-profit governing bodies, while Wimbledon is run by the private All England Club.
"We have listened to the players' desire for a greater voice and this advisory council is an important step toward a stronger relationship between the Grand Slams and the players," said Deborah Jevans, chair of the All England Club. "We look forward to working together to elevate the player experience, further enhance the Grand Slam tournaments and ensure the sport continues to thrive."