Alcaraz ditches tennis player group demanding prize money hike

Top tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, has decided to leave a group of prominent athletes advocating for a higher share of prize money from the four major tennis tournaments. Alcaraz, who will face US star Ben Shelton in a quarter-final match later today, was originally part of a group challenging the executives of the US, French, Australian Opens, and Wimbledon for a larger portion of the revenue generated by these events.

However, he has now decided to leave the group, sources close to the situation have told City AM, which is seen as a significant setback for their plans. The dispute has been ongoing for the top 20 players in the world, or the top 10 men and top 10 women, who have been pushing for a prize pot that accounts for 22% of the tournament's revenue by the end of the decade.

The US Open's prize money has been a focal point of the debate, with other tournaments like the French Open facing criticism for slashing media obligations, and Wimbledon facing grumbles over its total purse despite a significant increase that topped £64m. Meanwhile, the ATP, the governing body for men's tennis, recently announced a decrease in appearance obligations for players, while the WTA, the governing body for women's tennis, is considering a similar move that could alter the tennis calendar and reduce the physical strain on players.

Alcaraz expressed his concerns during a press conference, stating that "they [tennis bosses] are adding more important tournaments," implying that the increased number of mandatory events could lead to player fatigue and injuries.