By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 4, 2025
Casper Ruud World No.6 is, in principle at the least, one of many gamers that co-signed a current letter despatched by the Prime 20 gamers of the ATP and WTA to the 4 Grand Slams.
This weekend, whereas taking part in at UTS in Nimes, France, the Norwegian talked concerning the significance of the acknowledged aim of mentioned letter: rising the share of income sharing that the gamers earn on the main tournaments.
“As a participant, I do not really feel prefer it’s honest,” Ruud advised the AFP. “Should you examine with different main sports activities all over the world – NFL, MLB, NBA – they’re nearer to 50 % income sharing,” Ruud advised the AFP. “I do not suppose we’ll ever get there. But when we are able to get nearer, I believe each proportion helps.”
Ruud says that he and his friends are left in the dead of night as to what the working bills of the Grand Slams are, in order that they don’t actually have a very good gauge of true revenue.
“The largest factor that I do not suppose folks know sufficient is the income sharing of the Grand Slams and the place they make their cash or how they distribute their income,” he mentioned.
However Ruud and different gamers don’t admire the dearth of transparency, or the truth that massive choices that enhance revenues and alter participant necessities are made with out even consulting the gamers.
He cited the truth that Roland-Garros and the US Open have just lately switched to 15-day occasions.
“Most of them, they make a majority of these choices with out even speaking with the gamers, asking for his or her opinions,” Ruud mentioned. “So there are specific issues that Slams have accomplished within the final years the place we really feel like it is time to react and ask for a gathering after which to debate totally different subjects.”
In response to the AFP, a consultant from the FFT confirmed reception of the letter and mentioned that they’ve requested a gathering with the gamers at Madrid, or Roland-Garros, to debate issues additional. “We responded by proposing a direct, open, and constructive assembly, beginning on the Madrid Open (April 22-Might 4), at Roland Garros (Might 25-June 8), or at every other handy time,” the FFT supply advised the AFP.