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Members of the ATP Player Advisory Council have released a statement after world No. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed players "don't feel respect" from the four Grand Slam tournaments. Sinner is part of a group of top players on the ATP and WTA Tours who co-signed a letter to leaders of the Slams last March, asking for an increase in prize money relative to tournament revenue, welfare and benefit contributions, and a greater say in decisions that impact them.

But the four-time Major champion believes that they are still nowhere near reaching a conclusion more than a year later. Some of Sinner's colleagues, including Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, have suggested that players could boycott the Grand Slam tournaments if it is the only way to fight for their rights. The Italian also did not rule out a boycott, but explained that it was "more about respect" when questioned about the ongoing dispute.

"It's more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It's not only for the top players; it's for all of us players. Again, from men's and women's side, we are very, very equal," Sinner said on Thursday.

"I think the top 10 men, top 10 women, we wrote a letter. It's not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have. Talking in other sports, if the top athletes, they send important letters, I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting with this kind of thing, so...

"Of course, we talk about money. The most important is respect, and we just don't feel it. I think we players, we are a bit disappointed also of the outcome of Roland Garros [prize money], for example. So let's see what's coming. I think in the next couple of weeks we know also the prize money we're going to have in Wimbledon. We truly hope that it's going to be better. Then, of course, US Open."

Members of the Player Advisory Council have now publicly backed Sinner's comments and shared their wish to improve conditions for players on the tour. Mackenzie McDonald, the council president, who represents players ranked 51-100 in Singles, shared a statement on Instagram and tagged fellow council members Andrey Rublev, Nuno Borges, Pedro Martinez, Zizou Bergs, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Marcelo Arevalo, Jaume Munar, Zhang Zhizhen, Federico Ricci, Nicolas Pereira, and Andrea Vavassori - most of whom resposted the message.

It read: "As the ATP Player Advisory Council, we stand with Jannik Sinner and support his message. Players deserve to be heard, respected, and included in meaningful conversations about the future of our sport. We remain united in pushing for better communication and real progress for all players.

"The PAS remains committed to working professionally and collectively toward solutions that improve conditions for all players across the tour. We believe the future of tennis is strongest when players, tournaments, and governing bodies operate with mutual respect and open communication.

"We appreciate Jannik for speaking honestly about the sentiments shared by many throughout the locker room, and we remain united in advocating for a better and more collaborative future for our sport."

Sinner has not responded to the council's latest message of support, but Novak Djokovic - a former player council president, who co-founded the breakaway Professional Tennis Players Association in 2020 before walking away from the organisation this year - revealed that the council did not have as much influence as expected.

After commending Sabalenka for taking a stand, the world No. 4 said: "The players within the player council have really absolutely no power. I've been there. I was president of the council. I've been there many years.

"In public, you may think there is some power by electing the representative of players, then there's a board, the whole structure is just conceptualised in a certain way, where players are just not able to get what they want. That's hence why the top players come together and try to negotiate directly with Slams, which I think is the right way. You have to try to figure out ways to benefit."

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