Full Breakdown
Top Tennis Stars Weigh US Open Mixed Doubles Boycott Over Prize Money
6/14/2026, 4:38:11 AM
Boycott Threat Emerges
Jannik Sinner, the 2024 US Open champion, is among players reportedly considering a boycott of the US Open mixed-doubles event. The 16-team draw runs Aug. 24-25 at Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadium, a week before singles draws begin Aug. 30. Mixed-doubles winners earned $1 million in 2023, while singles champions will receive $5 million from the $90 million purse. No player has indicated a boycott of singles competition.
Prize-Money Disparities and Player Demands
Players have long urged Grand Slam organizers to raise their revenue share. Wimbledon lifted its prize fund to $95 million, raising the singles champion’s payout to $4.8 million and guaranteeing $80 000 for first-round losers. Players still demand 22 percent of revenue, saying prize-money formulas based solely on revenue “make no sense.” At the French Open, some limited pre-tournament media commitments to 15 minutes as a protest. The US Open mixed-doubles purse remains unchanged.
Key Players and Organizations
The boycott list includes Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Aryna Sabalenka and others who played in last year’s mixed-doubles. Sinner’s partner plans shifted from Emma Raducanu (pre-Cincinnati) to Katerina Siniakova, then to Emma Navarro. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) runs the US Open; the All England Club runs Wimbledon. Larry Scott, former WTA chief, serves as a players’ representative.
Numbers at Stake
The US Open offers $90 million, $5 million for singles champions and $1 million for mixed-doubles winners; Wimbledon’s total is $95 million and players demand a 22 percent revenue share.
Official Statements & Responses
All England Club chair Deborah Jevans said the Wimbledon increase “should be welcomed” and noted “we’ve demonstrated that we’ve looked at every round, including qualifying.” Wimbledon officials stressed their not-for-profit status, saying “everything goes back into the sport.” No USTA comment on the boycott.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources vary on Sinner’s intended partner—Emma Raducanu, Katerina Siniakova or Emma Navarro—showing evolving plans. The $1 million mixed-doubles prize is consistently reported, yet the US Open has not issued a response. Reliability scores range from 26.88 to 40.58.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would hope the players would welcome it. It’s a significant amount of money,” — Deborah Jevans, All England Club chair
- “We’ve demonstrated that we’ve looked at every round, including qualifying. My hope is that the players do recognize what a significant increase that this is.” — Deborah Jevans
- “We've always been clear that we're on the side of the players, in the sense that we want to have a fantastic Wimbledon for them,” — Deborah Jevans
- “Revenue does not take into account the investments that we make.” — Deborah Jevans
Outlook
Wimbledon’s prize-money boost will be evaluated by players ahead of the US Open. If the mixed-doubles boycott proceeds, organizers may face pressure to expand the purse or adjust revenue-sharing models before the Aug. 24-25 start.
