Wimbledon tournament director Jamie Baker has defended the increase in prize money at this year’s Championships, insisting the tournament remains committed to supporting players despite growing calls for a larger share of Grand Slam profits.
The winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles at the All England Club will each receive £3 million this year, a rise of more than 11 percent compared to 2024. Meanwhile, players earning a place in the main draw are guaranteed a minimum of £66,000, which represents a 10 percent increase.
Pressure has been mounting on the organisers of tennis’s four major tournaments, the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, to provide a greater share of revenue to players. Earlier this year, leading figures from both the ATP and WTA tours reportedly sent a formal letter to the Grand Slam boards, urging them to increase the players’ share of financial returns. The matter was also discussed at a high-profile meeting during the French Open.
Speaking on Friday, Baker, himself a former professional player, insisted Wimbledon’s long-term track record proves that the club is acting in the best interests of players.
“The decisions made over the past 20 years show that Wimbledon has always looked after the players,” he said. “It has meant that over time, players are earning more, the tournament has continued to grow, and the global audience and demand for Wimbledon have also risen.”
“Our position has always been to ensure players benefit. If you look at the increases we have implemented, they are consistently well above standard inflation rates.”
Baker said he had no problem with players continuing to push for more money and described such conversations as a natural part of professional life.
“I would be more concerned if people were not asking for more pay,” he said. “Who does not want to earn more? It is a perfectly normal part of life and business.”
The All England Club has continued to emphasise its commitment to the sport’s growth, pointing to record attendance and global viewership as part of the rationale for increased prize pools. While discussions about profit-sharing are likely to continue, Wimbledon’s leadership has made it clear that players will remain central to its strategic decisions.
