Jannik Sinner demands more 'respect' from Grand Slams as prize money row continues

[p]Last year almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, as well as involvement in decisions that affected them.[/p][p]The letters set a target of a 22-percent share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP men's tour and the women's WTA tour.[/p][p]But [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Sinner[/a] told reporters at the Italian Open in Rome that the players were no nearer an agreement with the organisers of Wimbledon and the French, US and Australian Opens.[/p][p]"[b]It's more about respect. Because I think we give much more than we are getting back. It's not only for the top players; it's for all of us players[/b]," Sinner said.[/p][p]"It's not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have."[/p][p]On Monday, women's world number one [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sabalenka-aryna/vyhksgUB/"]Aryna Sabalenka[/a] said that she was ready to boycott the Grand Slams in order for the players to force organisers' hands.[/p][embed guid="9ba69393-9607-48d8-942c-949e81e0e20c" url="https://x.com/josemorgado/status/2052390412195610764\" social-type="twitter" /][p]Those comments came after players said in a statement that last month's announcement by the French Open of a 9.5-percent prize money rise was not good enough.[/p][p]It said that a 14-percent increase in revenue last year only led to the total prize purse going up by 5.4 percent, reducing the players' share to 14.3 percent.[/p][p]Sinner coyly suggested he may back players pulling out of Grand Slam tournaments in the future.[/p][p]"[b]Of course, we talk about money, but the most important is respect, and we just don't feel it. I think we players, we are a bit disappointed also of the outcome of Roland Garros, for example. So let's see what's coming[/b]," added Sinner.[/p][p]"So I do understand players talking about boycott because it's somewhere we also need to start. Now it has been a very long time with this. Then we see in the future."[/p][p]Sinner will begin his bid for a record-extending sixth consecutive Master 1000 title against either [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ofner-sebastian/h6vs3iR2/"]Sebastian Ofner[/a] or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/michelsen-alex/nDIhfm9l/"]Alex Michelsen[/a] on Saturday.[/p][p]The Italian, a four-time Grand Slam winner, is on a 23-match winning streak and is red-hot favourite for singles victory in front of his home fans, with rival [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alcaraz-garfia-carlos/UkhgIFEq/"]Carlos Alcaraz[/a] injured.[/p]