Zheng, Navarro confirm that Top 20 players have asked Grand Slams for prize money improvements

Zheng says that the initiative will benefit all players and not just the top players

Qinwen Zheng, Cincinnati 2024

April 3, 2025

Reports that the Top 20 players on the men’s and women’s side had signed a letter to the four Grand Slams asking for improvements in prize money have been confirmed by China’s Qinwen Zheng and American Emma Navarro, who both confirmed in Charleston that they had signed the letter.

The French media outlet L’Equipe had first reported the news on Wednesday saying that the players had asked for a more equitable distribution of revenues.

Zheng, ranked No 8 in the world, cited the NBA, which gives players almost half of the income generated.

We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods brings to us.

“I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive,” Zheng said from Charleston, where she is playing the WTA 500 event this week. “That’s really positive, because if you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we’re working really hard, because I’m a tennis player I know how much I’ve worked to arrive here. We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods brings to us. But at least we’re trying.”

Navarro said she had talked to other players and decided that it was a good idea to sign the letter.

Emma Navarro, National Bank Open, 2024 — Emma Navarro © Icon SMI / Panoramic

“I talked a little bit to the other players about it and felt like it was a good idea to sign,” 11th-ranked Navarro said from Charleston. “I think there have been some sort of unfair pay ratios – I don’t know the correct terminology – but in the past. I think it’s a good cause to come together as players and make sure we’re getting treated fairly.”