Record prize money at Wimbledon rises to more than $85,000,000, but players are still unhappy / 'I'm frustrated the message hasn't been understood'
Wimbledon organizers have announced a record prize fund of 64.2 million pounds ($85.74 million) for this year's edition of the tennis competition, although the sum may not be enough to satisfy top players who are demanding a bigger share of the Grand Slam tournament's revenue, Reuters wrote on Thursday.
The prize pool is 20% higher than last year, with the singles champions set to collect £3.6m, up from £3m last year.
It's the biggest annual increase in prize money in the tournament's history, but comes at a time when demands are growing from players, who argue that the four Grand Slams share a smaller share of total revenue than other events on the ATP and WTA circuits.
Some players limited their media appearances to the recent French Open (Roland Garros) and even threatened a future boycott.
Wimbledon chairman Debbie Jevans said she had discussed prize money at the French Open with Larry Scott, who represents several top players, about their pay demands.
Players have claimed a total prize pool at Wimbledon of around £70m, which would bring this value close to the 22% that the top ATP and WTA events redistribute to players, compared to around 15% at the Grand Slams.
“We talked, we exchanged emails and we met with Scott in Paris,” Jevans told reporters Thursday at the Wimbledon pre-tournament press conference.
“And after the meeting in Paris, I think you've all read what's been mentioned in the press: 71 million. I think what we've done is right and appropriate, so I hope the players appreciate that. It's a considerable amount.”
Jevans pointed out that Wimbledon distributes 90% of its surplus back into British tennis. Last year, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (the organizer of Wimbledon) paid the Lawn Tennis Association £48.1 million.
“Using revenue to determine prize money doesn't make sense, and I told Larry Scott that,” she said. “The revenue doesn't take into account the investment we're making. We're a non-profit organization and we're very different from a Masters 1000-type tournament.”
“So I'm frustrated that this message hasn't been understood,” Jevans added.
Player power
Last year's US Open offered $90 million in prize money, while this year's Australian Open totaled A$111.5 million. The prize fund of the French Open was about 71 million dollars.
Players also cited pensions, tournament extensions, scheduling and late-night matches among issues fueling frustration, alongside what many described as a persistent lack of dialogue from organisers.
Prize money has increased significantly at Wimbledon across the rounds this year, with players knocked out in the first round in singles receiving £80,000, compared to £66,000 in 2025.
Wimbledon also announced that the total prize pool for the qualifying tournament will increase by 25% to £6.2m.
“Our prize pool for the girls' qualifiers is equivalent to that of some WTA 1000 tournaments, the top level of the women's circuit,” said Jevans.
This year's tournament will feature several improvements to player facilities in the renovated Millennium Building, including an improved player performance area with a larger gymnasium, improved medical and physiotherapy facilities, a new recovery suite and a nutrition bar.
Fans will also enjoy more shaded areas, although there will be no screens to broadcast the soccer World Cup.
“I think we can all enjoy the World Cup, but our focus here is on tennis first and foremost,” said Sally Bolton, the outgoing chief executive.
On the court, a video review system will be introduced on the six main courts this year, allowing players to request unlimited reviews of specific decisions made by the chair umpire, such as a double fault, an out-of-bounds kick or a touch on the net.
Visual indicators for the electronic real-time line signaling system will also be introduced on the scoreboards.
