‘Advancing Shared Goals’: Tennis Grand Slams Form Player Advisory Council
Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 04:05PM By Barry Janoff
August 20, 2026: In response to players stating they wanted more input and better results, organizers of the four tennis Grand Slams — U.S. Open, Australian Open, Roland-Garros and The Championship Wimbledon — said they are “forming a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council to serve as the forum for direct communication, feedback and collaboration between the Grand Slams and players.
The Council, scheduled to launch following the 2026 U.S. Open, will “further strengthen the partnership between the Grand Slams and the players, with a focus on player input into sporting matters at the four Grand Slam tournaments and advancing the shared goal of greater player support.”
Players have been very vocal this year in seeking a larger share of revenues and improved representation, health options and pensions from Grand Slams organizers, going to far as to limit media appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon
“The Council will provide a regular forum for the players to share their ideas on how the Grand Slams can continue to improve the player experience and make our events even more compelling for tennis fans around the world,” Chris Harrop, Chair of Tennis Australia, said via the organization:
“We look forward to working with them and our fellow Grand Slams through this important new forum.”
Grand Slam organizers said they are currently “shaping the Council’s initial composition, framework and operating structure with player input. Interested players will be invited to apply and those appointed to the Council will address the full range of Grand Slam sporting matters.”
According to Brian Vahaly, U.S. Tennis Assn. chairman and president, via the organization. “The Grand Slams and players share a commitment to making tennis stronger. This Council marks an important step in building an even closer relationship with players and creating a more consistent way for us to shape the future of the Grand Slams and their impact on our sport.”
At the 2026 U.S. Open, the USTA said it is “once again offering the largest player compensation package in professional tennis history, reaching $108 million at the 2026 U.S. Open.”
This includes what was called “the largest Grand Slam payment in history for Main Draw Singles Champions at $5.5 million” each for men’s and women’s champions.
The compensation package also includes a new Player Support Program seeded with an initial $2 million commitment in 2026, equally split between men and women players.
The USTA said the “record-setting and ground-breaking actions reflect the ongoing and deep commitment of the USTA and U.S. Open to supporting all players who compete at the U.S. Open, especially emerging and lower-ranked competitors.”
The U.S .Open will become the first Grand Slam to establish a Player Support Program. (See full story here.)
Grand Slam organizers said sporting matters that affect the Grand Slam tournaments “collectively will be addressed through the Council on a joint basis. The Council will also provide a regular forum for players to raise and discuss player welfare and compensation matters, including prize money, with each Grand Slam individually because of the distinct structure, economics, governance and decision-making process of each tournament and consistent with applicable legal requirements.”
“The creation of the Grand Slam Player Council will have a positive impact on our sport,” Gilles Moretton, Chair of the French Tennis Federation, said via the organization: “By creating a new space for dialogue, we are giving players more opportunities to help shape, alongside us, the continued growth of Grand Slam Tennis.”
According to Deborah Jevans, Chair of the All England Club via the organization, “We have listened to the players’ desire for a greater voice and this advisory council is an important step towards a stronger relationship between the Grand Slams and the players.
“We look forward to working together to elevate the player experience, further enhance the Grand Slam tournaments and ensure the sport continues to thrive.”
U.S. Open Record $108M Prize; Serena, Alcaraz In, Sinner Out
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