Top tennis stars earn staggering amounts. According to Forbes, 20-time major champion Roger Federer earned $95.1 million between May 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023. However, for players ranked outside the top 100, competing on the ATP Challenger Tour, the reality is vastly different. Lower-ranked players often struggle to make ends meet, lacking sufficient sponsorship to cover the costs of training, travel, equipment, and team expenses. From Grand Slam events to ATP Masters tournaments, players are calling for reforms that not only enhance financial support for lower-ranked athletes but also ensure the sport's long-term health.
Renowned French outlet L'Équipe recently reported that the top 20-ranked male and female players have cosigned a letter addressed to the organizers of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, urging them to implement a "substantial increase" in prize money across all rounds (L'Équipe). This unprecedented move highlights growing frustration among players, who argue that the current prize money structure disproportionately benefits the sport's elite while leaving lower-ranked competitors struggling to make ends meet. The letter underscores the importance of ensuring that all players, regardless of ranking, can afford the costs associated with competing professionally.
World No. 8 Zheng Qinwen, speaking at the recent Charleston Open, emphasized the broader impact that prize money reform could have on the sport. "I think that's going to be more benefit for all the players, not only the top players, especially for those players that work hard (every) year and need to get paid from the slams, and they have to survive," she said (CNN). Zheng also noted that financial security is critical for players to afford strong support teams, which are often essential for success at the highest level. "They also need to pay for a good team to be able to have a good chance to win the match. So I think that's really positive," she added.
American Emma Navarro, currently ranked World No. 11, also backed the letter, citing the need for more equitable treatment across the sport. "I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios... in the past. I think it's a good cause to come together as players and make sure we're getting treated fairly," Navarro told reporters, explaining her decision to sign the letter (BBC). French Open organizers have since confirmed receipt of the letter, reaffirming their commitment to working with players and stakeholders to develop the sport responsibly and collectively.
The call for change is not new. Players like Andy Murray have been vocal about prize money inequities for years. In 2020, the two-time Wimbledon champion made headlines by suggesting that winners' checks at Grand Slam events might need to be reduced to better support lower-ranked players. "Sometimes you see the prize money cheque for the winner of the Grand Slams is something like $4 million (£3.25m)," Murray said at the time. "Could that money be used better and spent elsewhere in the earlier rounds or the qualifying draws or maybe to grow some of the smaller events?" (Daily Mail). His comments reflect a growing awareness among top players that the sport's financial model needs to evolve to ensure its sustainability.
Some progress has already been made. In 2025, the ATP announced an increase in guaranteed minimum earnings for players ranked outside the top 100. Players ranked between 101 and 175 will now receive $200,000 annually (up from $150,000), while those ranked 176 to 250 will earn $100,000 (up from $75,000). The top 100 players will continue to benefit from a $300,000 minimum guarantee. These changes aim to provide greater financial stability to players who often struggle to cover travel, coaching, and training expenses, all of which are critical for competing at a high level.
Beyond the Grand Slams, ATP Masters 1000 tournaments have also seen significant increases in early-round prize money in recent years. Comparing 2019 and 2025, the first-round payouts for events like Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome have grown substantially. For instance, Indian Wells and Miami have nearly doubled their first-round payouts, while European tournaments such as Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome have also shown notable growth. At Indian Wells, first-round prize money rose from $16,425 in 2019 to $27,500 in 2025, while in Rome, it grew from €16,000 to €20,000. These increases demonstrate a broader shift toward addressing the financial challenges faced by lower-ranked players. As Murray, Zheng, Navarro, and others have shown, the future of tennis depends on ensuring that all players--not just the elite--are given a chance to thrive.