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Associated Press

Talk of a boycott from top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner has grabbed attention. But behind the scenes, it has been Jessica Pegula, the 2024 US Open runner-up, organising the top tennis players in their protest with the grand slams over the share of tournament revenues devoted to prize money.
It comes naturally to Pegula, who grew up in a household of sports managers: her parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
“I think it maybe does [come naturally] just because I feel like I’ve taken on a bit of a leadership role with it,” Pegula said.
Already this year, No 5-ranked Pegula was named to lead a new 13-person panel to suggest changes to the women’s tennis calendar, rankings points rules and the requirements about competing in certain events. Now she is taking on the prize money issue too.
“I’m not afraid to go up to any type of player and go like, ‘Hey, are you interested in this or not?’,” Pegula said. “Some players, they don’t care, sometimes they’re not worried about it. Sometimes they’re like, ‘Yeah, for sure, I’m 100 per cent in’. I’ve been reaching out to players on the men’s and women’s side.”

Sabalenka said last week the players should consider a boycott for a bigger slice of tournament revenue, while Sinner said there was a lack of respect.
“At the end of the day, the players are the ones that have the big voices,” Pegula said. “It’s been nice to see Aryna and Jannik kind of step out. I know a lot of other players feel the same way. But to have the two No 1s very outspoken about it, that’s kind of what it takes to get them to listen.”
Players’ share dropped in Paris
Whereas in the NFL and NHL athletes take home about 50 per cent of the revenues, at most tennis events the number is not even half of that. The coming French Open is allegedly devoting less than 14.9 per cent to the players – down from 15.5 per cent in 2024, according to a players’ protest statement issued last week.
Roland Garros organisers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10 per cent for an overall pot of €61.7 million (US$72.1 million), with the total amount up €5.3 million from last year. But the players’ said that the underlying figures tell a very different story.
“It’s crazy. It’s an insane difference. Obviously they’re different sports. They’re run differently,” Pegula said, comparing tennis with the NFL. “But tennis has been a very old-school sport. I think it’s one of the things that needs to change. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes that means fighting for things.”
The same group of players sent a letter a year ago to the heads of the four grand slams seeking more prize money and a greater say in decision-making. Wimbledon increased its 2025 total pot by 7 per cent, the US Open by 20 per cent and the Australian Open this past January by 16 per cent.
Still, the players say the grand slams do not match the rate of 22 per cent at regular ATP and WTA Tour events.
“The slams have kind of just gotten away with paying not that much because we’re a very individual sport,” Pegula said. “It’s hard to get players to come together. We’re not on a salary where football players or basketball players can afford not to play.”

Organisers at the French Open, which starts in less than two weeks, have not responded to requests for comment.
Wimbledon is due to announce its prize money next month and Pegula said the players have not had a response from the All England Club.
“We’re just going to kind of continue to talk among ourselves,” she said.
One of the big issues affecting tennis governance is that there are seven organising bodies: the four grand slams, the ATP, the WTA and the International Tennis Federation.
“That’s what makes it so hard is that our sport is super fragmented. Hard to get everybody on the same page,” Pegula said. “That’s why it’s been huge to actually have the top 10 men and women really come together. I’m hoping that will get the slams’ attention.”
Pegula advances in Rome
Before she gets to Paris, Pegula has been perfecting her clay-court game at the Italian Open, where she reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6, 6-2 win over Anastasia Potapova on Monday. She routed Rebeka Masarova 6-0, 6-0 in the previous round.
Pegula will next face three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek or four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka.


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ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals)

Tennis star Jessica Pegula putting family’s NFL, NHL experience to use in prize money fight

Jessica Pegula has been preparing for the French Open at the clay-court Italian Open, where she will play either  Iga Swiatek or Naomi Osaka. in the quarter-finals. Photo: AFP

Jessica Pegula with Buffalo Bills players Kaiir Elam (left, who has joined Kansas) and Dion Dawkins. Photo: Instagram@jpegula

Jessica Pegula finished runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 US Open. Photo: TNS

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Coleman Wong, here in action in the semi-final, won the Jiangxi Open to claim his first Challenger title. Photo: Weibo/ ATP巡回赛

Coleman Wong (right) and his coach James Allemby after the final at the Jiangxi Open. Photo: Handout

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Tennis

World No 5, whose parents own Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, is leading battle over share of tournament revenues devoted to player pool


World No 5, whose parents own Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, is leading battle over share of tournament revenues devoted to player pool.


Tennis star Jessica Pegula putting family’s NFL, NHL experience to use in prize money fight

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}World No 5, whose parents own Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, is leading battle over share of tournament revenues devoted to player pool

World No 5, whose parents own Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, is leading battle over share of tournament revenues devoted to player pool