In a recent comment on the PTPA lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the ongoing legal battle, acknowledging the need for a greater share of tournament revenue for players. However, she made it clear that she has kept her focus on tennis and didn’t want to let the controversy distract her.
The PTPA, a players’ association co-founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, dropped an absolute bombshell this month when they filed a lawsuit against the governing bodies of tennis, claiming that “tennis is broken.” According to the PTPA, players are stuck in an unfair system that limits their financial opportunities, endangers their health, and exploits their talents—despite the sport’s outwardly glamorous image.
Sabalenka spoke about the lawsuit, saying, “Honestly, I haven’t had much time to look for information because I didn’t want to delve into it since I was trying to focus on my tennis, and I didn’t want to get upset or anything about the situation.”
The Belarusian did, however, voice her support for a change in how revenue is distributed, emphasizing the need for all players to receive a larger percentage of tournament earnings, particularly in Grand Slams, “If you look at other sports, the percentage works a little differently, so I think that’s the only wish I have.”
The lawsuit has sparked a heated response from both the ATP and WTA, with both organizations strongly rejecting the PTPA’s claims, marking the start of what could be a long and complex battle.
Sabalenka is currently competing at the Miami Open, where she’s advanced to the quarterfinals and will face Zheng Qinwen. This season, she’s already earned over $2 million in prize money, and a semifinal appearance in Miami would add another $332,160 to her earnings. (source: Tennis World USA)
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