skip to main content

Coco Gauff: Grand slam prize money still 'not where we would like it' despite recent increase

Grand slam winner Coco Gauff does feel progress has been made
Grand slam winner Coco Gauff does feel progress has been made

Coco Gauff has led calls for the grand slams to increase prize money still further amid an ongoing dispute between leading players and the major tournaments.

The Australian Open announced this month that its prize pot would increase by 16% to $111.5 million dollars (approximately €96m), with the singles champions collecting more than $2 million each.

It is the biggest increase in the tournament's history but, with revenue also rising, players believe they deserve a higher proportion of the slams' income, with the ultimate goal of pushing above 20%.

Gauff was part of a meeting between leading players and representatives of the major tournaments at Roland Garros last spring, and the American expects more dialogue this year, with a collective frustration that more progress has not been made.

"From my understanding, they obviously increased the prize money this year," she said. "The percentage is still, of revenue comparison, not where we would like it.

"I think there's still further conversations that have to be had, not just with the Australian Open but with all the slams. We have player representatives that have been working really hard to do that a lot for us because we can't do it, be in person, as often.

"The collective feeling is that, yes, there's been progress, but I still think it's not where we would like to see it. We are grateful for the progress that has been made.

"I imagine that there will be continually more meetings. I think no one wants this conversation to be continuing for years and years. So I would imagine that we would continue to have those conversations and maybe more pressure being applied with especially the top 10."

The players are also calling for the slams to contribute to player welfare benefits, while they would like a seat at the table to influence issues such as scheduling.

Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys said: "I think it's really important. We obviously give a lot of ourselves to this sport.

"They (the slams), being the highest revenue holders, I think it absolutely makes sense. As we are the product, it makes sense for us to be partners.

"I think that it has been the most productive conversations that we've ever had, which leads me to be carefully optimistic, I think, for the future."

Read Next