The ITF warned they ‘better watch out’ after Jannik Sinner’s and Aryna Sabalenka’s recent comments

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Tennis chiefs certainly have a lot to consider after the latest ATP and WTA seasons reached their conclusions.

There was plenty of excitement throughout 2025, but many ATP and WTA players also created drama off the court.

Primarily, the top players demanded a prize money increase at Grand Slam level, which would involve a greater distribution of profits.

It involves the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, which as always will return to the calendar in 2026.

The Grand Slams are talking to players about prize money, but it remains to be seen when a change will take place, if any.

International Tennis Federation warned they ‘better watch out’

Former player John Lloyd has now issued a warning to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) amid the problem.

He said on The Inside-In Tennis Podcast: “The players are in a position where they can demand things now. There is a bit of unrest about the Slams not paying enough prize money and some of the events.

“The players, if they stick together on these things, they can cause change and I believe at some stage they will, with best-of-five sets in the men [being scrapped], I think that will come from the players because of injuries.

“Prize money is the same thing. Are we close to a boycott? I don’t think that is going to happen yet. But I do believe it was very interesting when they talked about the prize money situation and [Aryna] Sabalenka was very much talking about how the Slams need to sit down and be more cooperative with the players.

“I thought it was very interesting that Jannik Sinner also got involved. So when you have the number one players – I know Sinner is number two now – but when you have the top players who are going to bat for the lesser ranked players that is a very good sign that there is unity in the unions, which for a while I don’t think there was. 

“So the ITF better watch out here. I am sensing there is a unity and without the players you are done. If they don’t put out with more prize money, which I think they should do, there could be some problems in the future.”

Why scrapping best-of-five sets at Grand Slams is a bad idea

It’s somewhat of an obvious argument, but scrapping best-of-five sets in men’s Grand Slams likely won’t be welcomed by fans.

Tennis fans want to see the top players competing for as long as possible, with the five-set thriller between Sinner and Alcaraz at the French Open representing the perfect example.

Many players, however, may have the completely opposite point of view if they continue to pick up injuries and are fatigued.

And ultimately they may have the final say given that they are, of course, the ones playing in the matches.

It’s an issue that Sabalenka has also commented on, saying of the five-hour, 30-minute final in Paris: “For someone watching, it’s amazing to see five hours of great tennis.

“But I’m not really jealous to stay there for five hours as a player. I don’t know how many days they needed to recover after that crazy match.”

And her fellow WTA star Coco Gauff has said of the idea: “It would favor me just from a physicality standpoint.

“But I do think it would kind of be a big change for the tour. I think it would be fine just keeping it like how it is.”

READ MORE: Rennae Stubbs suggests radical change to the WTA Finals that she thinks would make it much better

With another season wrapped up, it is perhaps the perfect time for the powers that be to really sit down and consider what should come next.

Many ATP and WTA players are now enjoying their off-seasons after busy campaigns, although in their defence the 2026 season is already rapidly approaching.