“There’s a Massive Discrepancy,” Jessica Pegula Reveals Shocking Grand Slam Realities As She Appeals for Reforms
“Tennis is broken.” That’s how Ahmad Nassar, executive director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), summed it up last month. In a bold move, the Novak Djokovic-led PTPA filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA—accusing them of systemic exploitation, especially when it comes to pay disparity.
Now, World No. 3 Jessica Pegula is adding her voice to the growing call for change, joining fellow stars like Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Djokovic in demanding a fairer revenue share for players at the sport’s biggest events.
The Grand Slam Pay Picture
Yes, Grand Slams are offering record-breaking prize money—but is it enough?
- US Open 2024: $75 million (15% increase)
- Wimbledon: $65 million
- Australian Open: Nearly $60 million (12% rise)
- French Open: ~$59 million (7.8% increase)
Despite the staggering totals, players only receive about 17.5% of the total revenue generated by the sport, according to the PTPA. Compare that to leagues like the NBA, where athletes earn close to 50%—and the gap becomes glaring.
Players Push Back
A letter dated March 21—first reported by L’Équipe—was sent to the heads of all four Grand Slams: Craig Tiley (AO), Stephane Morel (French Open), Sally Bolton (Wimbledon), and Lew Sherr (US Open). It was signed by 20 top players across both tours.
Speaking at a recent UTS event in Nîmes, World No. 6 Casper Ruud echoed the sentiment:
“It’s not fair. Look at the NFL, MLB, NBA—they all share revenue at around 50%. Tennis is way behind.”
Pegula Speaks Out
Fresh off her title win in Charleston, Pegula opened up on Tennis Channel about what the movement really stands for:
“It’s about Slams sharing more of their massive revenues with players. People assume equal prize money is everywhere—it’s not. Outside the Slams and maybe a few 1000-level events, there’s a huge drop-off, especially at 250s and 500s.”
She applauded efforts by tournament owner Ben Navarro, who extended Credit One Bank’s title sponsorship of the Charleston Open through 2031. Thanks to this, it became the first WTA 500 to match ATP 500 prize levels—well ahead of the 2033 deadline.
The Numbers Tell the Story
- Charleston Open 2025 prize pool: $1,064,510
- Pegula’s winnings: $164,000
- Future WTA 500 pools: ~$1.15M in 2026 (and rising)
- Current ATP 500 average: $2M+
Clearly, there’s still a long way to go.
Clay Breakthrough and Career Highs
Pegula’s Charleston title wasn’t just about equity—it marked a career milestone. The 6-3, 7-5 win over fellow American Sofia Kenin was her first title on clay and eighth career singles title.
She also:
- Climbed back to World No. 3, matching her career-best ranking
- Became the No. 1 American woman on tour
- Surpassed Sabalenka with 25 season wins, leading the WTA Tour
- Has no points to defend during the clay season after missing it in 2024
With Madrid, Rome, and Roland-Garros ahead, she’s in prime position to surge even further.
The Bigger Picture
Jessica Pegula isn’t just chasing trophies—she’s helping lead a transformative push in tennis. The questions now: Will the momentum spark meaningful change? Or is this just the start of another long battle?
What’s your take?
With tennis players getting just 17.5% of revenue, is it time for a major overhaul?
Join the debate, share your thoughts, and stay tuned for what’s next in the movement for fairness in tennis.
