Emma Raducanu’s ex coach responds to Aryna Sabalenka’s threat to boycott Grand Slams over pay dispute

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Casper Ruud provides another perspective on Grand Slam boycott

There’s a growing conversation in tennis about the possibility of players boycotting the Grand Slams, which would be a major turning point for the sport.

This issue didn’t just appear overnight. After years of financial disputes between players and tennis officials, it seems this kind of standoff was always coming.

Now that Aryna Sabalenka has openly talked about a boycott, with Jannik Sinner backing her up, there’s real momentum building among some of the top players.

While several high-profile names are supporting a potential strike, others within the sport have been more cautious about committing to such an extreme move. The divide is clear among both fans and athletes.

Mark Petchey says Grand Slam criticism is misdirected as boycott talk builds

Photo by William WEST / AFP via Getty Images

Just days after Emma Raducanu said she wouldn’t support a boycott, her former coach Mark Petchey has also weighed in with a slightly different view. While he backs parts of the movement, he believes the frustration might be aimed at the wrong people.

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Petchey said: “I think it’s important to remember what the slams are doing. I think you’ve got to look at things like Sabalenka last year, 58% of her prize money came from the majors. That’s just 27 matches compared to 75 that she played throughout the course of the season.

“If we take a look at the men’s top 100, 62% of their prize money comes from the Grand Slams, and that equates to just 14% of their play in the season. I think the issue lies on both sides.”

Petchey went on: “Can it be fairer? I think there’s no question in my mind that there can be a fairer split of the revenues at the major. But I do think you’ve got to look at the tours and the jobs that they’re doing, particularly when you go down to like the 250s.

$65,000 for a first-round loss at a 250 is not a great number.”

CoCo Vandeweghe admitted she ‘couldn’t agree more’, again stating that more pressure needs to be placed on tours instead of focusing so much attention on majors.

She added: “I think Grand Slams have increased their prize money. They’ve given us more opportunities than ever and also at lower ranks.

Why a major boycott might be the right place to start

Petchey may see things differently, but it’s hard to argue against the idea that the Grand Slams are where this conversation needs to begin.

If change happens at the top, it could set a precedent for the rest of the calendar. Pressure on smaller events would likely build from there.

The power balance is clear. The non-Slam tournaments depend on player participation far more than majors do. A united front from players could force meaningful action down the line.

A boycott of a Grand Slam would put huge pressure on everyone in tennis, as it would be a very bad look for one of its biggest tournaments to get undermined in such fashion.

Tennis should look to find common ground before things escalate that far because it remains the only realistic option moving forward.

Read more:

• Iga Swiatek reveals how her coach tore his Achilles just before the Italian Open
• Aryna Sabalenka closes in on Maria Sharapova after Rome win
• Jannik Sinner sends classy message about Djokovic, Federer and Nadal