Zheng Qinwen is among the star players signing a letter demanding a raise from Grand Slams and the 2024 Australian Open defends her move by stating that it’s something that could “benefit all players.”
This week, L’Equipe dropped a bombshell report by sharing that the representatives of the ATP and WTA top-20 club officially called on the Grand Slams to offer more money in their tournaments.
For nearly two decades, Grand Slams have been equally paying men and women. And they have received a lot of praise for that move over the years. Also, it is not a secret that prize money for a first-round Slam exit brings more than the latter stages in some main-level tournaments.
However, the players believe that the Grand Slams are also making a significant amount of money and that it’s time for them to distribute even more to players.
Zheng: It’s about those that need to survive, they need it the most
“I think that that’s going to be more benefit for all the players, not only the top players, especially for those players that work hard during all the years and need to get paid from the Slams. They have to survive. They also need to pay for a good team to be able to have a good chance to win the match. So I think that’s really positive,” the world No. 8 told Ben Rothenberg for Bounces.
Zheng also revealed that she was told about the letter by two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka and her first thought was that it was going to be “tough to make it happen” – but it happened. Also, the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist shared that after consulting with her agent, she agreed to join in.
However, Zheng highlights there were no guarantees that the target will be accomplished.
“This, I don’t know. You know, we try to do what we can do. And then let’s see what the gods brings to us and the Slams. But at least we are trying, yeah,” the 2024 Australian Open runner-up said when asked directly if Majors would listen to players.
Tennis World USA