Protesting top players are set to  limit media time to the bare essentials when Wimbledon begins on Monday as dissatisfaction with prize money to competitors deepens.

The actions taken at Roland Garros – where some of the big names limited their pre-event media conferences to 15 minutes – appears to be taking shape at the All England Club.

World No. 1 players Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka and six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek – among others – supported the Paris action and are expected to step up the protest at the grasscourt major.

During the Wimbledon fortnight, players are reportedly planning not only to limit pre-tournament press to a quarter of an hour but will also spend only 15 extra minutes on media duties during the first week of the fortnight, the BBC reported.

The number 15 represents the percentage of event revenue that players currently receive; they are asking in excess of 20 percent as a fair payout.

Wimbledon bosses had hoped to defuse the looming situation by awarding a prize money increase of 20 percent – a figure which falls around USD 9.2 million short of player demands.

Wimbledon says that relying on a percentage payout of revenue could lead to a tournament financial crisis and have repeatedly dismissed the idea of a prize money rise, calling it “just plainly wrong.”

The first test of player discontent should come during Saturday’s media day.

Main photo:- Championships Wimbledon 2025 Jannik Sinner (ITA) wins Men’s Singles Final by Roger Parker/ISF Ltd

The halo effect from iconic new coach Andy Murry on Monday sent Jack Draper to a satisfying knee injury comeback win as the Briton advanced on the grass at Eastbourne.

The former national No. 1 who once touched fourth in the world, had not played since mid-April in Barcelona, defeated substitute opponent Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (5). 

The American replaced compatriot Brandon Nakashima in the draw on the English south coast.

With Murray in his corner for the grass season, Draper’s confidence seemed to fly.

But he warned:”I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen,” he said of his knighted new mentor.who retired two years ago this month.

“I’m really grateful to Andy that he’s chosen to help me and wants to help me. Today was a performance a bit like what he used to do – winning ugly.”

Due to an unfortunate series of arm, knee and shoulder problems, Draper’s match was only his 10th of this season.

“Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations. When I was younger I remember him playing all the big events and being there to watch him,” Draper said.
“He believes in my game, he believes in me as a person. That’s what I really need right now coming back from the year I have had.”

Draper now plays compatriot Jack Pinnington Jones in the second round.

Main photo:- Jack Draper winning at Eastbourne – ©LTA

Frances Tiafoe dominated from the start as he became the first American to win the ATP Halle title with a 6-4, 6-4 thrashing of compatriot Taylor Fritz on Sunday.

The 2023 winner on German grass in Stuttgart  needed just 67 minutes to dominate Fritz, who was far from his best after reaching two finals in two weeks – and losing both to countrymen.

Tiafoe backed up his Stuttgart quarter-final last week with a solid display here, beating three top 10 opponents – Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli, Felix Auger-Alaissime and Fritz – at the same event for the first time in his career

The winner set up a pair of match points with a backhand down the line before converting on his first chance in a battle of North American ball strikers.

Tiefoe credited his success to a higher power, noting his favourite scripture after the win.

“I’ve lost a lot of 500-level finals – Vienna, Tokyo, Alcapulco – so this is big,” the winner said.

“A few weeks ago I had one of the toughest losses of my career at the French Open (nealry five and a half hours against Matteo Arnaldi), but I had a good week in Stuttgart and I won my biggest title here.”

Tiafoe never faced a break point and sent down right aces in victory.

“I returned really well today, I didn’t have any trouble serving during the entire match. It feels really good to get this done.”

The winner said he played “a clean match” and characterised Fritz as “a hell of a competitor.”

“I played some good tennis and had some luck along the way.

“I’m excited for Wimbledon, but I will take this all in first: see you in a week, SW 19.”

Tiafoe lost just seven points on serve in his rout of his good friend.ament. He broke his curse of losing all four finals he had played above the ATP 250 level.

Main photo:- Frances Tiafoe with Halle Trophy ©ATPTour.com