“Sinner criticizes the slam and talks about the necessary boycott.”

Jannik Sinner drops a bombshell in the tennis world: “Boycott at the Grand Slams? I understand those who talk about it. We have been silenced for too long!” It is a cry of outrage that echoes from the heart of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where the young Italian prodigy did not hold back in his criticism of how the biggest tournaments in international tennis treat players.

The 21-year-old tennis player, who has quickly become one of the sport’s great stars thanks to impressive victories and performances, did not shy away from the most controversial topic currently in the Tour: the disparity between the value players place on the Grand Slams and the remuneration they receive in return.

“The Grand Slam tournaments are undoubtedly the most important events on our calendar. I can speak for the current generation, but this is an issue that also concerns future generations. It is a matter of respect because we give much more than we receive. This is not just a problem for the top tennis players, but for everyone. There are no differences between men and women; we are all equal,” Sinner emphasized, making it clear that the fight transcends gender rivalries.

The Italian revealed that the men’s and women’s tennis elite have united in a letter sent to the organizers of the Grand Slams, demanding a review of financial conditions. “We wrote a letter, both the top 10 men and women, and it is disappointing to see that, after more than twelve months, we are still far from what we want. In other sports, when athletes send a letter, they receive a response in less than 48 hours and are called for a meeting. Here, not even that happens.”

Sinner did not hold back criticism of Roland Garros and expressed caution regarding Wimbledon: “We are a bit disappointed with what happened at Roland Garros. In the coming weeks, we will learn the prize money for Wimbledon, and we hope it will be higher. I understand that players are talking about a boycott because this situation has dragged on for too long, and it is already a starting point for us.”

Tennis is experiencing an unprecedented moment of unity between men and women, and Sinner emphasizes that the true crux of the matter is not just money, but the respect that the Grand Slams show towards the players. “Without us, there is no tournament. We have been silenced for too long, and I think it’s time to openly discuss this issue. Behind the scenes, they are doing a good job and representing us well. We know that the Grand Slams are the most prestigious tournaments; we are not asking for half of the profits, far from it. But, at this moment, perhaps we are receiving too little.”

Jannik Sinner, a young but powerful voice, is leading a quiet revolution in the world of tennis. If the Grand Slams want to continue being the kings of the sport, they will have to heed this warning and act before the silence turns into a real boycott. The clock is ticking.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.