'A staggering 71.6 billion won in prize money collected' World No. 1 female tennis player delivers stern warning: "Unfair revenue structure... We will not hesitate to boycott"

*This content was translated by AI.

This is a stern warning from the world No. 1 in women's tennis. Aryna Sabalenka (27, Belarus) raised her voice regarding the prize money distribution system in major tournaments, even mentioning the possibility of boycotting the events.

According to the British media outlet 'BBC' on the 6th (Korea time), "Sabalenka, ahead of the Italian Open, expressed dissatisfaction with the prize money and revenue distribution. She even hinted at the need for collective action by players."

According to 'The Times', Sabalenka, who has earned over 36.3 million pounds (approximately 71.6 billion won) in prize money throughout her career, pointed out that the prize money increase for this year's French Open fell short of expectations.

This year, the French Open organizers announced a 9.5% increase in prize money compared to last year. However, according to 'BBC', the top 10 players argue that approximately 22% of the tournament revenue should go to the players. Sabalenka raised her voice, stating, "Today, female players can unite and raise their voices together. There are parts that are currently unfair to the players."

Sabalenka continued, "At some point, female players will boycott tournaments. It seems to be the only way we can fight for our rights." She further asserted, "Players create the show. Without players, there can be no tournaments or entertainment."

Sabalenka is a player who has previously emphasized the entertainment aspects of tennis. During a recent exhibition match against world No. 671 in men's singles, Nick Kyrgios, she showcased performances such as dancing to the music of "Macarena" during the match, focusing on providing entertainment for fans. However, some critics have argued that these actions focused more on boosting popularity and prize money revenue through shows rather than serious competition.

Reactions from fellow players to the unprecedented claim of a possible boycott are divided. Coco Gauff expressed her support, saying, "If everyone unites, I would 100% join." Elena Rybakina also stated she would follow the majority decision. In contrast, Iga Świątek offered a cautious response, stating, "Boycotts are somewhat extreme. It is more important to communicate appropriately with the association." Emma Raducanu drew a line, saying, "Major tournaments have value beyond money. I will not participate in the boycott."

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*This content was translated by AI.