US Open stars told ‘stop complaining and donate’ as $100million prize pot cools boycott plans

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski has told tennis superstars to stop complaining following suggestions of an unlikely boycott at the Grand Slams.

The final major of the year gets underway on Sunday when the US Open hits New York.

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The final major of the year will feature Carlos Alcaraz fit to defend his title in the men’s draw and Aryna Sabalenka chasing a third successive title.

Organizers announced a record breaking prize pot last week.

The biggest prize fund in Grand Slam history is up for grabs with $108million in total featuring $5.5million for each of the singles winners.

That is up from $5m in 2025, which was a huge hike from the $3.6m on offer just two years ago when Jannik Sinner and Sabalenka were crowned champions.

Fears throughout the year that the leading lights on the ATP and WTA Tour could take their ‘deep disappointment’ to extreme lengths with a boycott have proved unfounded, and all the big names – that are fit – will be at Flushing Meadows.

A joint statement ahead of May’s French Open, saw the players voice their concerns about prize money, as well as other grievances.

Coco Gauff and Sinner were among the names who spoke publicly after the statement in Paris which included criticism of the Grand Slam tournaments.

“While other major international sports are modernizing governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change,” they said.

“The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”

The threat of a walk-out never materialized at Wimbledon and 1997 US Open runner-up Rusedski, believes the time has come for the top players to cool off and perhaps consider playing their own part.

“I find it hard when players are complaining about prize money at the very top,” Rusedski told the latest episode of Off Court.

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“If they’re complaining about prize money at the very top, then find a way to donate some of your prize money to that 150-300 group.

“Or find a way to work with the ATP and the ITF, who’ve set up that new group as well with the player councils for all the Slams to get more money into that range because at the very top of the game.

“If you’re in the top 100 in the world, you’re making a very good living these days and you can’t compare individual sports to team sports.

“There’s players who barely won matches these days, eight or nine matches this year and they lose 15 or 20 matches.

“But this talk of a boycott of Grand Slams… it was never going to happen. A load of nonsense.

“$32,000 for first round qualifying? I think that’s more than I made in my opening match in my last ever US Open!

“First round prize money, $140,000, winner gets $5.5 million. Wow, this is some big prize money.

“This generation is very fortunate, they always want more, but I think it’s for the lesser players ranked between 150 and 300 that deserve more and that’s the problem they’re trying to sort out.”

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What are the US Open stories to watch?

Sinner is the most notable name missing from the tournament, but he has been ruled out following a knee injury.

Defending men’s champion Alcaraz makes his return after more than four months with a wrist injury and expectations are low.

In the women’s draw, Sabalenka faces a challenge to her crown, not only as the two-time defending champion but as the world No.1.

Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula could all end the fortnight at the top of the rankings, while a third successive title will see Sabalenka emulate Serena Williams with three in a row.

Williams teamed up with Alcaraz earlier in the week in the mixed doubles, while she has also been handed a wild card into the women’s doubles with older sister Venus.