Jannik Sinner: The Boycott Theory Is the Most Likely Explanation

A little over a month before the start of the U.S. Open, rumors are gaining momentum again about a possible boycott by top players on the ATP and WTA tours, who are demanding higher prize money and greater protections at major tournaments. According to reports from The Athletic, the two current world No. 1s, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, are among the players ready to protest.

The top players’ intention remains to boycott the US Open mixed doubles tournament, which organizers want to be packed with stars and VIPs, just as it was last season. According to The Athletic, USTA executives are trying to avoid a possible partial boycott of an event for which thousands of tickets have already been sold at high prices.

So far, their efforts have not met the players’ demands, but negotiations are still ongoing. On July 4 in London, the group’s leaders—including Jessica Pegula—met with Brian Vahaly, president of the United States Tennis Association (which organizes the US Open), to reach an agreement. The athletes want a larger share of revenue allocated to prize money and a greater say in decisions regarding the schedule and organization.

In addition to Sinner, Sabalenka, and Pegula, the group also includes Gauff, Shelton, and Rybakina, among others. According to two sources present at the talks, both sides felt they had made progress. However, the USTA’s offer was not considered adequate by the top players, who have not yet withdrawn their threat to skip both the mixed doubles and the charity exhibitions organized during the week leading up to the start of the tournament

The main sticking point, according to The Athletic, remains the prize money: the players are demanding a guaranteed percentage of the tournament’s total revenue, but so far the organizers have not agreed to introduce a revenue-sharing formula.