Ruud Calls Unfairness of Grand Slam Income Sharing

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 4, 2025

Casper Ruud World No.6 is, in concept a minimum of, one of many gamers that co-signed a latest letter despatched by the High 20 gamers of the ATP and WTA to the 4 Grand Slams.

This weekend, whereas enjoying at UTS in Nimes, France, the Norwegian talked in regards to the significance of the acknowledged aim of stated letter: growing the proportion of income sharing that the gamers earn on the main tournaments.

“As a participant, I do not really feel prefer it’s truthful,” Ruud advised the AFP. “If you happen to evaluate with different main sports activities all over the world – NFL, MLB, NBA – they’re nearer to 50 p.c income sharing,” Ruud advised the AFP. “I do not assume we’ll ever get there. But when we are able to get nearer, I believe each share helps.”

Ruud says that he and his friends are left at nighttime as to what the working bills of the Grand Slams are, so that they don’t actually have gauge of true revenue.

“The most important factor that I do not assume individuals know sufficient is the income sharing of the Grand Slams and the place they make their cash or how they distribute their income,” he stated.

However Ruud and different gamers don’t admire the shortage of transparency, or the truth that large choices that improve revenues and alter participant necessities are made with out even consulting the gamers.

He cited the truth that Roland-Garros and the US Open have lately switched to 15-day occasions.

“Most of them, they make all these choices with out even speaking with the gamers, asking for his or her opinions,” Ruud stated. “So there are specific issues that Slams have accomplished within the final years the place we really feel like it is time to react and ask for a gathering after which to debate totally different matters.”

In keeping with the AFP, a consultant from the FFT confirmed reception of the letter and stated that they’ve requested a gathering with the gamers at Madrid, or Roland-Garros, to debate issues additional. “We responded by proposing a direct, open, and constructive assembly, beginning on the Madrid Open (April 22-Might 4), at Roland Garros (Might 25-June 8), or at another handy time,” the FFT supply advised the AFP.