Wimbledon Players Extend Media Protest Over Revenue Share Despite Record Prize Fund

Tennis players will limit media access to just 15 minutes per session during Wimbledon 2026’s opening week, which starts on June 29. This escalation continues direct action that kicked off at the French Open in 2026.

The All England Club announced a record £64.2 million prize fund for 2026—a 20% jump from the year before. But the money boost hasn’t ended the standoff. Players want roughly 16% of the tournament’s total revenue, while the current prize pool sits at about 14.4% of tournament revenue.

Tournament officials said they were surprised and disappointed by the ongoing protest. The gap between what players are asking for and what they’re getting is tight but real. Players note that Wimbledon currently pays slightly under 15% of revenues to competitors.

The players’ demands go beyond prize money. They want a formal player council and a dedicated player welfare fund. So far, Wimbledon hasn’t given them a substantive answer on either of these issues.