Leading players at Wimbledon begin their latest protest of tournament prize money and will limit their media appearances on the eve of the Championships.
Wimbledon’s announcement of record prize money at this year’s tournament was initially welcomed by star names on the men’s and women’s tours as a “genuine and significant step forward” – but it has not stopped collective action.
Top players from the men’s and women’s tours, including defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka Swiatek, limiting their contractual media commitments to a symbolic 15 minutes, starting with the pre-tournament press conferences.
Wimbledon’s prize money now stands at an overall £64.2m, the players want their share of revenues at the grand slams to reach 22 per cent, and believe their share of this year’s revenues is set to stand at less than 15 per cent.
Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu postponed her pre-Wimbledon press conference after cutting a practice session short to increase fears that the British No 1 could miss this year’s tournament.
Follow the latest tennis news from Wimbledon, below
Andrew Castle admits he is ‘upset’ over departure from BBC’s Wimbledon team
Veteran commentator Andrew Castle said he was “upset” to learn that this would be his last broadcasting Wimbledon for the BBC.
Castle will be part of the broadcasting and commentary team for this year’s tournament, which begins on Monday, but announced he would step down entirely after this Championships rather than take a different role.
The BBC, which has recently renewed its free-to-air broadcast agreement with Wimbledon until 2033, is revamping its coverage of the tournament once again.
Castle told The Telegraph: “Am I upset? Yeah, I was upset, and I will stay that way this year, knowing it’s my last. But all good things come to an end.”
Coco Gauff had ‘no hesitation’ about joining prize money protest
Coco Gauff also cut her press conference short at Wimbledon and perhaps gave the best explanation at why the players are continuing to protest despite prize money increasing by 20 per cent this year.
“We definitely welcome and appreciate the increase. It’s still below what happened in 2016, below the 16 per cent [share of revenue] that we’re ago asking for. Also revenue has been up $280 million over the course of the decade, but the revenue was lower a decade ago. I think as the tournament grows in revenue, I definitely think this year should grow.
“I think a lot of people maybe online are trying to perceive this is maybe us since the top players are the ones really getting our message out there.
“I think people have to remember there are a lot of players below the rankings who are very good, top 100, top 200 in the world of their sport. They come back from injury and are not necessarily getting that support. Also we ask some of the slams to participate in the welfare programs that we want just to help the quality of our sport as a whole.
“I definitely think the increase is good, but it’s quite not where we would like it to be. That’s why my stance has still kind of been the same.
“I can’t speak for the future. I don’t know if that will change or not. But I think as a collective, I am happy. I understand why players maybe not want to participate in it.”
The worrying Aryna Sabalenka trend jeopardising Wimbledon title bid
Sabalenka has been racked with tension at key points in her last two tournaments, but a blueprint from an unlikely source could help her rediscover her title-winning ways this summer
Novak Djokovic’s potential path to 25th grand slam title
R2: vs Tsitsipas
R3: vs Rinderknech (25)
R4: vs Rublev (12) / Fonseca (24)
QF: vs Auger-Aliassime (3) / Norrie (26) / Tien (16)
SF: Jannik Sinner (1)
F: Alexander Zverev (2), Ben Shelton (4), Taylor Fritz (6)
Novak Djokovic feeling confident ahead of Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic opens his Wimbledon campaign against China’s Wu Yibing on Monday.
The Serbian, 39, was knocked out of the French Open in the third round by Joao Fonseca last month, but he revealed his confidence is high ahead of Wimbledon is pleased with his preparation.
“I think it is different in terms of just the overall physical state,” he said. “I think I’m better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros.
“Obviously playing on grass, comparing to clay, you don’t need to exert as much physical effort. So that’s better for me,
“I always loved playing on grass. I have a very good history, here at Wimbledon. That gives me a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.”
Wimbledon prize money protest explained: What do tennis players want?
The top tennis players in the world are demanding a ‘fairer’ share of tournament revenues and will cut their media appearances during the first week of Wimbledon despite receiving record prize money this year.
Emma Raducanu postpones pre-Wimbledon press conference as injury fears grow
It appears Emma Raducanu is giving herself as much time as possible to manage the injury, but time is running out ahead of her scheduled first-round match against Croatia’s Antonio Ruzic on Monday.
Wimbledon first-round matches to watch: Serena Williams v Maya Joint
Serena Williams’ first-round match at Wimbledon was also going to be one to watch, whoever the 44-year-old was drawn next to ahead of her first singles match in four years. Williams could have played anyone in the women’s draw, so in Australia’s Maya Joint, the American has perhaps landed a forgiving opening opponent.
We should remember, of course, that Williams lost her last match at Wimbledon to the virtually unknown Harmony Tan, then ranked 115th in the world. Even with two matches in doubles under her belt, there is going to be a lot of rust – and unknowns – when Williams steps back onto Centre Court. Given the unprecedented nature of her comeback, Williams will still be a huge underdog against Joint, the world No 53.
That’s not to say it’s not a winnable match for Williams, or a daunting prospect for the 20-year-old Joint. After all, tennis history will tower over the Australian when the players step onto court. Williams is the greatest women’s player of all time, with 23 grand slam titles and seven Wimbledon crowns. Joint may have won a WTA title on grass at Eastbourne, but she has only progressed past the first-round of a grand slam twice. It’s going to be the biggest match of Joint’s career by some distance.
That can play into Williams’ hands. Everything about this match will be compelling, from the show of Williams’ return, to the fact that there will be a 24-year age gap between the players.
Novak Djokovic praises Serena Williams ahead of Wimbledon comeback: ‘Its epic’
Novak Djokovic called Serena Williams an “inspiration” as the 23-time grand slam prepares to make what he called an “epic” comeback at the age of 44.
Djokovic revealed he had seen Williams in the gym more often this week than compared to her prime and is excited to see how she performs.
“What she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story. Of course, Venus’, as well.
“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for her own satisfaction or coming back on the tour, but also to give all of us a pleasure of seeing her back on the court – in singles as well as doubles – is remarkable.
“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I’m sure for millions around the world.
“I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime. It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible.”
Emma Raducanu postpones press conference as Wimbledon fears grow
Emma Raducanu has postponed her pre-Wimbledon press conference after cutting a practice session short to increase fears that the British No 1 could miss this year’s tournament.
Raducanu has been managing a foot injury since reaching the Queen’s final and appeared at the All England Club on Saturday with her right ankle strapped in protective tape.
The 23-year-old took part in a training session at midday before playing a practice session with world No 20 Anna Kalinskaya on Court 3 at 1pm.
However, Raducanu appeared to wrap up the session earlier than planned after playing, and losing, four games in a row, before her scheduled press conference for later in the afternoon was rearranged for tomorrow.
It appears Raducanu is giving herself as much time as possible to manage the injury, ahead of her scheduled first-round match against Croatia’s Antonio Ruzic on Monday.
