Jannik Sinner among stars ‘considering boycotting’ Grand Slam event hours after Wimbledon statement

Jannik Sinner suffered a shock defeat in the French Open last month as he lost to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the Paris heat during the second round, but the Italian will be hopeful he can return to action and find form for Wimbledon.

The 24-year-old is expected to defend his Wimbledon title this summer and is seen as the overwhelming favourite following his fine form this year alongside the notable absence of Carlos Alcaraz due to a wrist injury.

Wimbledon is set to take place between June 29 and July 12, with the Italian aiming to take part in the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at the Hurlingham Club in London between June 23 and 27 to prepare.

Jannik Sinner

While Sinner will be focused on retaining his Wimbledon crown, the Times has reported that he could be set to ‘boycott’ the US Open’s mixed doubles event this year amid the prize money dispute, along with several other high-profile tennis stars.

He had been set to take part in the mixed doubles event last year alongside Katerina Siniakova but withdrew due to illness.

The revamped event in the US tournament ran in the lead-up to the singles draws, which turned the Grand Slam tournament into a three-week event with the winners claiming $1 million (about £745,000).

However, this year players, including Sinner, may threaten to skip the event to pressurise organisers into boosting the prize pot.

This is the latest threat from a group of players demanding that grand-slam events increase the prize money on offer.

During the recent French Open, some players limited their pre-tournament media availability to just 15 minutes as part of the protest.

Aryna Sabalenka speaking at Indian Wells

On Thursday, it was announced that Wimbledon agreed to increase their tournament’s prize money by 20 per cent to £64.2 million following the player protests. The champion will take £3.6 million, with those losing in the first round guaranteed £80,000.

Deborah Jevans CBE, Chair of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, commented: “I am delighted to announce a total prize money fund of £64.2 million for The Championships 2026, a very significant increase of 20% from £53.5 million last year.

“This announcement recognises the success of The Championships, and that we operate a sustainable programme that allows us not only to increase prize money, but also to invest in facilities, the grass court season and support British and international tennis.

“We are clear that as Wimbledon grows, the players will continue to share in that success.”