World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has sparked controversy after signaling she could boycott Grand Slam tournaments over prize money concerns. The Belarusian star expressed frustration over financial structures in major tournaments, calling for fairer compensation for players. Her remarks have reignited debate around revenue sharing in tennis, with questions now emerging over whether top players could take collective action if demands are not met.

Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Boycott Grand Slams Over Prize Money 

<p>As the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open (AO) has its own history, feel, and pulse. Held in the Southern Hemisphere, far from the other three majors, it naturally feels different. That distance, both literal and cultural, is exactly what makes it special. The Australian Open is where players get their first chance each year to make a statement. This season, the spotlight is on Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, who both need one more major to complete a career Grand Slam. Winning in Melbourne would not only complete their collection, but also put them on track for a rare calendar-year sweep. With both players in great form, the stakes feel higher than usual.</p><h2>Why the Australian Open feels different</h2><h3>The biggest stage in tennis</h3><p>The Australian Open is the most attended tennis tournament in the world. Over three weeks, Melbourne Park welcomes fans from across Australia and beyond. In 2025, a record 1,218,831 people came to watch. But it’s not just about tennis; fans also come for live music, popular food spots, interactive experiences, and the famous evening matches played in warm summer air. The event feels more like a festival than a tournament. &nbsp;</p><h3><strong>R</strong>oofs that beat the weather</h3><p>Anyone from Melbourne knows how unpredictable the weather can be. A sunny morning can easily turn into a storm by the afternoon. Melbourne Park is built for this, and its three main stadiums, Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, and Margaret Court Arena, all have retractable roofs.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With the help of these roofs, matches continue to play, no matter the conditions, allowing fans to keep watching even when it rains.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Wheelchair tennis</strong></h3><p>The Australian Open has long pushed the sport forward and is the first major to officially introduce wheelchair tennis in 2002 and the first to put wheelchair finals on the main show courts. That commitment grows again in 2025, with new international events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide contributing to the expanded 2026 Australian Wheelchair Tennis Summer Series.</p><h3>Australian Open 2026: Prize money pool</h3><p>Players at this month's Australian Open will be competing for a record prize pool, with organisers on Jan 6 announcing a 16 per cent increase in the total purse to AUS $111.5 million (US $75 million). The winners of the men's and women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home AUS $4.15 million (US $2.79 million), up 19 per cent from last year's AUS $3.5 million.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200).</p>

This season, the spotlight is on Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, both needs one more major to complete a career Grand Slam. Winning in Melbourne would not only complete their collection, but also put them on track for a rare calendar-year sweep.

As the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open (AO) has its own history, feel, and pulse. Held in the Southern Hemisphere, far from the other three majors, it naturally feels different. That distance, both literal and cultural, is exactly what makes it special. The Australian Open is where players get their first chance each year to make a statement. This season, the spotlight is on Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, who both need one more major to complete a career Grand Slam. Winning in Melbourne would not only complete their collection, but also put them on track for a rare calendar-year sweep. With both players in great form, the stakes feel higher than usual. Why the Australian Open feels different The biggest stage in tennis The Australian Open is the most attended tennis tournament in the world. Over three weeks, Melbourne Park welcomes fans from across Australia and beyond. In 2025, a record 1,218,831 people came to watch. But it’s not just about tennis; fans also come for live music, popular food spots, interactive experiences, and the famous evening matches played in warm summer air. The event feels more like a festival than a tournament. Roofs that beat the weather Anyone from Melbourne knows how unpredictable the weather can be. A sunny morning can easily turn into a storm by the afternoon. Melbourne Park is built for this, and its three main stadiums, Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, and Margaret Court Arena, all have retractable roofs. With the help of these roofs, matches continue to play, no matter the conditions, allowing fans to keep watching even when it rains. Wheelchair tennis The Australian Open has long pushed the sport forward and is the first major to officially introduce wheelchair tennis in 2002 and the first to put wheelchair finals on the main show courts. That commitment grows again in 2025, with new international events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide contributing to the expanded 2026 Australian Wheelchair Tennis Summer Series. Australian Open 2026: Prize money pool Players at this month's Australian Open will be competing for a record prize pool, with organisers on Jan 6 announcing a 16 per cent increase in the total purse to AUS $111.5 million (US $75 million). The winners of the men's and women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home AUS $4.15 million (US $2.79 million), up 19 per cent from last year's AUS $3.5 million. The players beaten in the opening round will get AUS $150,000 (US $100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive AUS $40,500 (US $27,200).

<p>This season, the spotlight is on Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, both needs one more major to complete a career Grand Slam. Winning in Melbourne would not only complete their collection, but also put them on track for a rare calendar-year sweep.</p>

How is Australian Open different from other Grand Slams

<p>Serena Williams returned to tennis after a year away with a doubles win at the Eastbourne International on Tuesday and while the American great reaffirmed her love for the game she said her future on the circuit remains uncertain. The 23-time major champion had not played competitive tennis since limping out of her first-round match at last year`s Wimbledon in tears due to a leg injury, and the 40-year-old said there were times when she doubted she would ever compete again.</p>

<p>However, Williams, who has won seven Wimbledon singles titles, took a wildcard for the grasscourt major and kicked off her preparations with a doubles win with Tunisian Ons Jabeur. "You know what, I`m literally taking it one day at a time," Williams told reporters about her plans, saying she "absolutely" had moments of doubt about returning to the Tour. "I really took my time with my hamstring injury so I`m just not making a ton of decisions after this."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-williams-confirms-her-return-at-wimbledon-2022-a-year-after-superstars-last-match-488161"><strong>Serena Williams confirms her return at Wimbledon 2022, a year after superstar's last match</strong></a></p>

<p>Williams won the last of her 23 Grand Slam titles at 2017 Australian Open and remains one shy of equalling Margaret Court`s record for the most major titles. She reached the final at four majors since returning to the Tour after giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but lost in straight sets on each occasion.<br />
Speculation about retirement gathered pace when Williams, who has slipped down the rankings to number 1,204, released her long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou in April to train Romania`s Simona Halep.</p>

<p>Asked if she saw herself playing into the next year, Williams said: "I don`t know, I can`t answer that. "But I love tennis and I love playing, or else I wouldn`t be out here, right? But I also love what I do off the court, what I`ve built with Serena Ventures, it`s interesting." The Wimbledon main draw kicks off on Monday.</p>


Serena Williams returned to tennis after a year away with a doubles win at the Eastbourne International on Tuesday and while the American great reaffirmed her love for the game she said her future on the circuit remains uncertain.

Serena Williams returned to tennis after a year away with a doubles win at the Eastbourne International on Tuesday and while the American great reaffirmed her love for the game she said her future on the circuit remains uncertain. The 23-time major champion had not played competitive tennis since limping out of her first-round match at last year`s Wimbledon in tears due to a leg injury, and the 40-year-old said there were times when she doubted she would ever compete again. However, Williams, who has won seven Wimbledon singles titles, took a wildcard for the grasscourt major and kicked off her preparations with a doubles win with Tunisian Ons Jabeur. "You know what, I`m literally taking it one day at a time," Williams told reporters about her plans, saying she "absolutely" had moments of doubt about returning to the Tour. "I really took my time with my hamstring injury so I`m just not making a ton of decisions after this." ALSO READ | Serena Williams confirms her return at Wimbledon 2022, a year after superstar's last match Williams won the last of her 23 Grand Slam titles at 2017 Australian Open and remains one shy of equalling Margaret Court`s record for the most major titles. She reached the final at four majors since returning to the Tour after giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017 but lost in straight sets on each occasion. Speculation about retirement gathered pace when Williams, who has slipped down the rankings to number 1,204, released her long-time coach Patrick Mouratoglou in April to train Romania`s Simona Halep. Asked if she saw herself playing into the next year, Williams said: "I don`t know, I can`t answer that. "But I love tennis and I love playing, or else I wouldn`t be out here, right? But I also love what I do off the court, what I`ve built with Serena Ventures, it`s interesting." The Wimbledon main draw kicks off on Monday.

Serena Williams 'absolutely' had doubts about competing again as she gears up for Wimbledon 2022

<p>Not every day, do&nbsp;we see something funny come out of a serious press conference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday, a kid reporter cum fan was at the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-federer-narrowly-beats-american-teenager-frances-tiafoe-19656">US Open Tennis Tournament press conference where Roger Federer </a>was addressing the media.</p>

<p>The kid got his chance to speak at the conference and he went on to ask the 19-time champion (Grand Slam singles titles) about why he&#39;s referred to by the nickname of G.O.A.T even though there is not a lot of livestock in his native country, Switzerland. The kid thought he was actually nicknamed after the farm animal.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/us-open-japanese-teen-naomi-osaka-upsets-defending-champion-kerber-429">Roger Federer looked amused by the question</a> and he laughed before answering it. The tennis champion said, &ldquo;Some fans call me that; I don&rsquo;t call myself that.&quot; After taking a pause, he added, &ldquo;But yeah, we have a lot of animals in Switzerland and goats are part of the livestock we have over there, yes.&rdquo;</p>

<p>After this the cute kid went on to say that he has a &quot;serious&nbsp;question&quot; and asked if he &quot;could continue playing for another 8-9 years&quot; so that he could get to play Roger Federer when he &quot;becomes a pro&quot; himself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Being a sport, Federer answered that he would try to &quot;make a comeback&quot; for him and that it is a &quot;pinky promise&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Roger Federer, is currently ranked world No. 3 in men&#39;s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals and is commonly referred to by the nickname G.O.A.T which stands for&nbsp;Greatest of All Time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Watch the video:&nbsp;</h2>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0gfEqBdUkfE" width="970"></iframe></p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


He seemed amused with the question and laughed before answering

Not every day, do we see something funny come out of a serious press conference. On Tuesday, a kid reporter cum fan was at the US Open Tennis Tournament press conference where Roger Federer was addressing the media. The kid got his chance to speak at the conference and he went on to ask the 19-time champion (Grand Slam singles titles) about why he's referred to by the nickname of G.O.A.T even though there is not a lot of livestock in his native country, Switzerland. The kid thought he was actually nicknamed after the farm animal. Roger Federer looked amused by the question and he laughed before answering it. The tennis champion said, “Some fans call me that; I don’t call myself that." After taking a pause, he added, “But yeah, we have a lot of animals in Switzerland and goats are part of the livestock we have over there, yes.” After this the cute kid went on to say that he has a "serious question" and asked if he "could continue playing for another 8-9 years" so that he could get to play Roger Federer when he "becomes a pro" himself. Being a sport, Federer answered that he would try to "make a comeback" for him and that it is a "pinky promise". Roger Federer, is currently ranked world No. 3 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals and is commonly referred to by the nickname G.O.A.T which stands for Greatest of All Time. Watch the video: (WION)

Kid reporter asks Roger Federer why he's called the G.O.A.T. at the US Open

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Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Boycott Grand Slams Over Prize Money

How is Australian Open different from other Grand Slams

Serena Williams 'absolutely' had doubts about competing again as she gears up for Wimbledon 2022

Kid reporter asks Roger Federer why he's called the G.O.A.T. at the US Open