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Novak Djokovic has voiced his support for Aryna Sabalenka after she suggested players could boycott the four Grand Slam tournaments if it were the only way to fight for their rights. Both Djokovic and Sabalenka were part of a group of top ATP and WTA players who co-signed a letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments in March 2025, asking for a greater percentage of tournament revenue, contributions to welfare and benefit schemes, and a greater say in decisions that affect them, including scheduling.

A recent statement released on behalf of this player cohort expressed "deep" and "collective" disappointment over the French Open's recent prize money announcement. While organisers confirmed an increase in the prize pot, the group noted that players' share of revenue had actually reduced. The players have requested a share of around 22 per cent of Grand Slam tournament revenue, in line with joint ATP and WTA 1000 events, including this week's Italian Open.

Off the back of this statement, WTA No. 1 Sabalenka floated the idea of a boycott. "I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment," she said earlier this week in Rome. "I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah. I feel like that's going to be the only way to kind of, like, fight for our rights."

Coco Gauff also discussed a potential boycott and explained that their goal was more about fighting for lower-ranked players who live "paycheck to paycheck". ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner has now claimed that players "don't feel respect" from the Slams, and said that a year on from the aforementioned letter, "we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have."

While Djokovic himself has not openly discussed joining a potential boycott, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has always been vocal about fighting for players' rights. He previously headed up the ATP Player Council and co-founded the Professional Tennis Players Association - a breakaway union - in 2020, stepping away from the organisation earlier this year.

"I think you've been around the tour long enough to, I think, remember the times when I was a president of the council, when I was also forming PTPA, which is now six years ago. So you guys know my position on that. I've said it many times. I don't need to talk about that too long," the world No. 4 told the media in Rome.

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