Roger Federer joins calls for higher prize money cut in Grand Slams

Numerous sports, more popularly NBA and English Premier League, share the revenue generated from the broadcasting rights with their players in the ratio of 49:51. The players get the 49% of the profit and the governing body gets the 51%. Seeing the rise in the revenues for the broadcasting of the Grand Slams, players have demanded for a bigger share of the revenue generated. Last year, when Wimbledon decided to make a cut on the prize money, the players had voiced the issue and reached an agreement.

“We had a good agreement, in my opinion, that made the Grand Slams happy, the players pretty happy. Seems like that has run its course,” said Numerous sports, mire popularly NBA and English Premier League, share the revenue generated from the broadcasting rights with the players in the ratio of 49:51. The players get the 49% of the profit and the governing body gets the 51%. Seeing the rise in the revenues for the broadcasting of the Grand Slams, players have demanded a share of the revenue generated," said Federer.

“We had a good agreement, in my opinion, that made the Grand Slams happy, the players pretty happy. Seems like that has run its course,” Federer added.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley has also reportedly outlined the plans to boost prize money at the opening Grand Slam of the year from $55 million to $100 million over the next five years. This year the single champion will receive 4 million dollars as the prize money, whereas the loser will receive only 60000 dollars. This invariable big gap has really caused problems for the players who rank outside 100.

Federer also stated that though going over the same process of having to ask for more was “a bit boring”, the revenue-sharing model was not quite where it was supposed to be.

“The moment that happens, there’s not the same increases anymore, so players have to rally, get back together again, put in the effort. The Grand Slams know that. They will only react when we do so. We’re ready to do it. When there is a need for a revolution in the sport, all the players need to come together and voice their problems together. It’s only then when their goal will be achieved. When the players don’t talk, nothing gets done. If the players talk to one another, it’s interesting,” said Federer.

“It’s not something we can do every day. We don’t have the players in the same room at all times. We can get together in locker rooms, have a quick huddle-up meeting all together added Roger.