ATP Player Council President & Member Andrey Rublev Stand With Jannik Sinner In Grand Slam Boycott Battle
· Yahoo Sports
Jannik Sinner has voiced his frustration and made it clear that he stands firmly with his fellow players in the ongoing push against the Grand Slam tournaments. His stance has also received backing from Mackenzie McDonald, President of the ATP Player Advisory Council, and council member Andrey Rublev.
The developments come just a day after Aryna Sabalenka suggested that players could even consider boycotting Grand Slams in the future amid the ongoing prize money dispute, a sentiment that Coco Gauff also agreed with. The issue itself has been brewing for a while, with the top 10 men’s and women’s players having sent a letter to the Grand Slam tournaments back in March, requesting formal discussions around a fairer share of revenues, increased investment in player welfare, and improved collaboration between players and tournament organizers.
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Speaking during a press conference at the Italian Open, Jannik Sinner said:
“It’s more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us players. Again, from men’s and women’s side, we are very, very equal. I think the top 10 men, top 10 women, we wrote a letter. It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to the conclusion of what we would like to have.
“Talking in other sports, if the top athletes, they send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting with this kind of thing, so … Of course, we talk about money. The most important is respect, and we just don’t feel it,” he added.
Now, Mackenzie McDonald took the opportunity to issue a statement on behalf of the ATP Player Advisory Council, expressing full support for Jannik Sinner. Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev also showed his backing by reposting the statement on social media.
“As the ATP Player Advisory Council, we stand with Jannik Sinner and support his message. Players deserve to be heard, respected, and included in meaningful conversations about the future of our sport. We remain united in pushing for better communication and real progress for all players. The PAC remains committed to working professionally and collectively toward solutions that improve conditions for all players across the tour. We believe the future of tennis is strongest when players, tournaments, and governing bodies operate with mutual respect and open communication,” McDonald said.
“We appreciate Jannik for speaking honestly about the sentiments shared by many throughout the locker room, and we remain united in advocating for a better and more collaborative future for our sport,” he added.
Jannik Sinner gears up to kick off Italian Open campaign
Jannik Sinner is all set to kick off his campaign at the Italian Open, having already arrived in Rome. The World No. 1 will begin directly from the second round, courtesy of a first-round bye as the top seed, where he is scheduled to face Sebastian Ofner.
Sinner enters the tournament as the overwhelming title favorite, largely due to the absence of his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard is currently sidelined with a wrist injury he picked up at the Barcelona Open, which has not only ruled him out of Rome but also forced him to withdraw from the French Open.
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