Sabalenka floated the idea before the Italian Open, making it a topic that quickly gained momentum within the sport.
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The threat of a boycott now seems more real than ever. While there is still a lot of uncertainty about how it could play out, there is little doubt that this problem won’t go away anytime soon.
But comments like Emma Raducanu’s certainly won’t help her case. Sky Sports asked him about a possible boycott and he gave an answer that stopped short of supporting it.
Emma Raducanu rejects Aryna Sabalenka’s boycott claim
Sabalenka may have warned of a possible boycott, but Raducanu quickly dismissed the idea.
Before withdrawing from the Italian Open due to illness, Raducanu explained that he would always choose to play in the majors because “for me, they are tennis.”
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He went on to tell BBC Sport: “It gives you something that money can’t and that’s the most important thing to me and what I value most.
Raducanu’s stance highlights a division of opinion on how best to address financial concerns in sport.
Coco Gauff had previously said she would consider joining a boycott if enough players backed it. However, Raducanu’s comments suggest that there is not yet widespread support for such action.
Why Aryna Sabalenka thinks players should boycott the Grand Slams
Aryna Sabalenka’s call for a boycott boils down to one central issue: players are underpaid compared to other major sports, and her argument carries some weight.
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In sports like baseball and basketball, players receive about 50% of the total revenue. On the contrary, tennis offers much less. For example, Roland Garros pays only 14.9% to players.
“I think at some point we will boycott it,” Sabalenka said during her media day before the Italian Open. “I feel like that will be the only way to fight for our rights.
“I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment.”
“I really hope that at some point we come to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone is happy with.”
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It’s not just about prize money for those at the top of the game; It’s also about creating better financial conditions for lower-ranked players who often struggle outside of big events.
The Belarusian is not alone in this opinion. Ons Jabeur has also spoken about fairness in tournament schedules and how players’ limited participation can negatively impact their well-being.
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