Top names will “work to rule” in Wimbledon protest

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