After months of playing shots off the back foot, the four Grand Slam tournaments have gone on the offensive in the battle for the future of the tennis.
In meetings with representatives of the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours last week in London, and with players and agents this week in Madrid, leaders of the Grand Slams have presented their strongest plan yet to reform the current structure of professional tennis. It consists of a premium tour anchored in the four Grand Slams and more top-level combined events, featuring the best players from the ATP and WTA circuits.
According to a person briefed on the proposal from the Grand Slams and the ensuing meetings, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect relationships, the details include the following:
- Doubling the prize money for the top 300 men.
- Almost quadrupling the prize money for the top 300 women.
- Using a portion of their own media rights to finance these changes.
- Equal pay, from inception, for men and women at all the events on the premium tour, instead of making women wait until 2027 to receive the same pay as men at some of the biggest tournaments.
- A schedule that includes the four Grand Slams, plus 10 other mixed top-level tournaments, with locations and dates to be determined, and a team event.
- The tour…
