John McEnroe calls for Grand Slam boycott to increase player pay

Tennis legend John McEnroe has proposed that professional players boycott one or two Grand Slam tournaments to force a redistribution of revenues. Speaking at the Laver Cup in London, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion argued that players should be treated as formal partners in the sport's four major events rather than being excluded from decision-making processes regarding the massive wealth these tournaments generate.

The dispute centers on the share of revenue allocated to players. While top players have previously advocated for a higher percentage of earnings—seeking to align Grand Slam payouts with ATP and WTA 1000 events—the current distribution remains a point of significant tension. McEnroe suggested that a boycott would be the “only way to succeed” in establishing a genuine partnership between athletes and tournament organizers.

Other top players have expressed varying views on the matter. Aryna Sabalenka indicated that a boycott might eventually become necessary to fight for player rights, while Iga Świątek has characterized such an action as “a bit extreme.”