Top tennis players said on Monday that they will refrain from conducting media campaigns to demand more influence and financial benefits from the four Grand Slam tournaments, preferring to seek to achieve their goals through a new advisory council for players.
The players launched their campaign in March 2025 to demand greater representation in the decision-making process at the Grand Slams, increased player sponsorship funding, and a greater share of tournament revenues, including a proposal that they receive 22 percent of tournament revenues in prize money.
The campaign gained momentum this year, when players reduced their media commitments before the start of the French Open and Wimbledon tournaments. In protest against the situation, while the value of the prizes for the four major tournaments increased amid great pressure from the players.
The players said that the agreement to form the council, and the progress they have made towards achieving their main goals, represents an “important step” forward.
The group said in a statement: “The players will now work directly with the four major leagues to establish a council through which the players themselves will be directly consulted and will be able to negotiate on an ongoing basis.”
The group acknowledged that the Grand Slams had not yet achieved the players' target of 22 per cent of tournament revenues by 2030, but noted that prize money had risen significantly since the campaign began last year.
The value of the prizes for the four major tournaments has increased, as this year’s prizes reached $79.92 million at the Australian Open, $71.56 million at Roland Garros, $86.79 million at Wimbledon, and a record $108 million at the US Open.
The group estimated that recent increases in Grand Slam prize pools, worth more than $30 million, exceeded historical growth rates, and welcomed the French Open's proposal to link payouts to tournament winnings.
The players said they would leave it to the formally established council to continue working on its outstanding goals by communicating with the four major leagues.
They also welcomed the fact that the US Open is the first major tournament to commit to allocating two million dollars for the welfare of players, hoping that this contribution will increase over time and stimulate similar proposals from the other three major tournaments.
The statement added: “This represents evidence of the gains achieved thanks to the unified teamwork of players in an individual sport, and thanks to the constructive dialogue with major tournaments and tournament organizers.”
He continued: “The players look to the Council to build on this progress and continue to strive to achieve goals that have not yet been fully achieved. The players reserve the right to resume the campaign if the Council fails to achieve these goals.”
Belgian Vincent Kompany, coach of Bayern Munich, praised the warm welcome his team received during its first visit to the Elfersberg Stadium, but he was more impressed with what the newly promoted team presented on the field, despite Bayern’s success in snatching a difficult 2-1 win yesterday, Sunday, in the German League.
“We received a warm welcome from thousands of people,” Kompany said. I've never witnessed anything like this before. “I would like to thank them for that.”
The Belgian coach added, speaking about the village of Shepsen-Elversberg, which has a population of about 13,000 people: “When we arrived at the hotel, I thought there was a festival taking place, but it was just fans waiting for us.”
Kompany expressed his appreciation for Elversberg, saying: “We are used to many things, but this was a different experience, and this is an additional reason for me to wish Elversberg all the best, so that we can return here next year.”
He explained: “We faced a brave and intelligent competitor, who showed a lot of passion. “It was a difficult match, and it was a difficult day for us.”
Kompany fielded four players at once: Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz, and Alfonso Davies, after the score indicated a 1-1 draw, and Elversberg coach Vincent Wagner said: “It was tough.” Since then, the Bavarian storm has descended upon us.”
Elversberg currently occupies sixth place in the standings after three rounds, after achieving two victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen.
English sniper Harry Kane, Bayern's striker, agreed with the vision of the two teams' coaches, saying: “Given our playing style and the format in which we play, it is important that we have new players. It does not matter who starts the match, or participates from the bench, everyone must be ready to give 110 percent.”
He added: “This is what we saw today when the players entered the field. We had more energy, and in the end we created more chances.”
After Bayern took the lead with Lennart Karl's goal in the 26th minute, Maurice Krattenmacher equalized for Elversberg in the 61st minute, before Kane intervened again and decided the match in favor of the Bavarian team.
“Sometimes you have to wait a little longer than you expect,” the English striker said. But it was great to score and contribute to the win. “These were three important points.”
