Nadal: "If you compare what players earned 15 years ago with what they earn today.."

Iker Jiménez | 5 Jul 2026 | 13.29

Nadal shares his opinion on the distribution of prize money in Grand Slams. Source: Getty

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The debate on the distribution of income in tennis continues. In recent months, several players have demanded a greater share of the profits generated by the Grand Slam tournaments, a claim that has gained momentum within the circuit. Rafael Nadal has now voiced his opinion on this matter, offering his perspective during an interview with CNBC.

The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles understands some of the players' demands but believes that the enormous effort and investment made by the organizers of the four major tournaments should also be acknowledged. For Nadal, the solution lies in dialogue and reaching stable agreements that benefit both parties.

Nadal weighs in on the money distribution at Grand Slams

Nadal began by explaining that he fully understands why this debate exists. According to the Spaniard, "If you are a player, you probably think you deserve more. If you are a tournament, you probably think the opposite. I was always open to these conversations when I was a player. Now that I am no longer one, I believe that players are right in some aspects, but not entirely. Players come to the tournament, play, collect their prize money, and go home. Tournaments, on the other hand, invest throughout the year to prepare for those one or two weeks of competition," he pointed out.

Therefore, the 22-time Grand Slam champion does not support the idea of implementing a direct revenue-sharing system. "I don't think players should share the tournaments' revenues," he asserted firmly. "I think players should come to an agreement with the Grand Slams. Say, 'I want my prize money to increase by 5%, 10%, 15%, or 3% each year.' The percentage doesn't matter, but an agreement must be reached. The Grand Slams could commit to increasing the prize money by a certain percentage each year. It would be fair to the players and to the tournaments. Once that agreement is signed, it should last for ten years to provide a decade of stability."

"Grand Slams have that power because we have given it to them"

Nadal also wanted to emphasize the tremendous prestige that the four Grand Slam tournaments have built throughout history. "The Grand Slams have a significant advantage because there are only four of them per year. They have the privilege of being Grand Slams," he explained. "They have built that brand. They deserve to be where they are because, in a way, we, the players, have given them that importance. These are the tournaments we have always wanted to win above all others. That's why they have that power," he argued.

Finally, Nadal recalled that the economic growth of tennis has also greatly benefited the players themselves and believes that this aspect should be taken into consideration before demanding a new distribution model. "The Grand Slams increase the prize money significantly year after year," he emphasized. "If you compare what players earned fifteen years ago with what they earn today, the percentage increase has been much higher than in almost any other profession. Players should also recognize that," he concluded.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nadal: "Si comparas lo que ganaban los jugadores hace 15 años con lo que ganan hoy..."

Rafael Nadal