Wimbledon 2026 prize‑money dispute resolved, players resume media duties

Ahead of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, top players ended a weeks‑long boycott over prize‑money distribution. After emergency talks, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club agreed to raise total prize money by 20% to £64.2 million and to consider the players’ three demands – higher prize‑money share, a larger welfare fund and a Grand Slam players’ council. World‑number‑one Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka said their representatives will assess the club’s proposals, while athletes will resume normal post‑match press obligations from June 29.

The tournament also featured a high‑profile return as 44‑year‑old Serena Williams played her first Wimbledon singles match since 2022, facing 20‑year‑old Australian rookie. Other notable matches included Novak Djokovic’s opening round against China’s Wu Yibing, and early round wins by defending men’s champion Italian Luca Nadal and women’s champion Iga Swiatek. The event attracted broad international attention as the prize‑money dispute was settled just days before play began.