Jannik Sinner shuts down questions over player media protest at Wimbledon

Jannik Sinner shut down questions about the player media protest at Wimbledon as fractures in the group emerged.

A number of leading players, including world number ones Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, have been putting pressure on the grand slams regarding levels of prize money, contributions to player welfare programmes and a meaningful say in decision-making.

They launched their first direct action at the French Open last month, limiting their pre-event media activities to 15 minutes – symbolising the percentage of revenue that the slams broadly pay out in prize money.

Wimbledon responded by upping their remuneration by 20 per cent year on year, a move that was initially welcomed by the players, so All England Club chiefs were surprised and, privately, extremely frustrated to learn this week that the protests would not just be repeated but escalated.

The players, who are calling for 22 per cent of revenue to be paid out in prize money, will take part in only 15 minutes of media after each match during the first week, consisting of a short press conference and two broadcast interviews.

Defending champion Sinner answered just six questions in English at his pre-event media, although he allowed the press conference to go over the allotted time in responding to enquiries from Italian media.

“I think it’s getting better, even though we are not at the point where we are 100 per cent happy,” he said of the prize money.

“It’s not about the money – not only about the money. It’s the whole scenario we take into consideration with welfare and everything else.”

Sinner then refused to answer further questions on the topic, including why the players have turned down Wimbledon’s offer of setting up a player council to address welfare issues.

Overall prize money has more than doubled in the last 10 years but the players argue it has not kept pace with the increase in revenue.

“It’s an amazing start,” said Sabalenka. “If you look over the last 10 years, if you compare the prize money to 2016, it’s kind of the same.

“I really hope we can finally get to the table and really get it done, come to a conclusion that everyone is going to be happy with. I hope we’re not going to get to this boycotting again.”

Multi-millionaires protesting about prize money is not an easy sell to the public, but the players insist they are trying to bring about change that will benefit their lower-ranked brethren.

However, the decision to target Wimbledon despite the big increase is not something all the group feel they can support.

Australian Alex De Minaur decided not to take part, saying: “I was definitely a part of it, and I think the sense that we had at Roland Garros was everyone was on board, even though we didn’t, as a collective, achieve the numbers that we were looking for.

“I thought that Wimbledon made a big step in the right direction, and something that should be noted. So this is for me to acknowledge their big step.”

French Open champion Alexander Zverev also did not take part while American Ben Shelton added: “I decided to give more time on media day today because Wimbledon is a special place.

“They’ve always treated me well here. They let me come and train after the French Open, get on the grass. They helped me out my first year that I came out on tour.

“I think they have made an effort. I think that showed in the increase that they brought in prize money this year.”