Earlier this week, it was revealed that the top 20 ATP and WTA players signed a joint letter addressed to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments. However, a notable omission raised eyebrows—Elena Rybakina did not sign the letter, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The letter, obtained by AP on Thursday, calls for an in-person meeting during the upcoming Madrid Open. It is addressed to the directors of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. The document includes handwritten signatures from 10 of the top 11 WTA players at the time—except for Rybakina, who was ranked within the top five then (though she now hovers just inside the top 10).
Who Signed?
The letter was signed by a number of top WTA players, including:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Coco Gauff
- Iga Swiatek
- Jessica Pegula
- Madison Keys
- Jasmine Paolini
- Emma Navarro
- Zheng Qinwen
- Paula Badosa
- Mirra Andreeva
On the ATP side, signatures came from:
- Jannik Sinner
- Novak Djokovic
- Alexander Zverev
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Taylor Fritz
- Casper Ruud
- Daniil Medvedev
- Andrey Rublev
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Alex de Minaur
Why Didn’t Rybakina Sign?
Speculation has emerged as to why Rybakina’s name is missing. One theory, floated on Twitter by @sebsharfam2, suggests that recent changes in Rybakina’s representation may be to blame—her agent reportedly stepped down, and coach Stefano Vukov may have assumed those duties. This may have affected communication or her ability to participate. Alternatively, she may have chosen not to sign for personal or undisclosed reasons.
What’s in the Letter?
The players’ letter outlines three key demands:
- Financial Support for Player Welfare: Grand Slam tournaments should contribute to player welfare programs run by the ATP and WTA.
- Increased Prize Money: A call for prize money to reflect a “more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues,” acknowledging players’ contributions to the value of the events.
- Greater Player Voice: A push for athletes to have more input on decisions affecting competition, health, and overall well-being.
What’s Next?
It’s unclear what impact the letter will have, but combined with the ongoing PTPA lawsuit, it marks a moment of significant player activism regarding financial and structural reforms in professional tennis.
