Emma Raducanu distances herself from Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff’s boycott calls
Photo by Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images Emma Raducanu has been asked for her thoughts on the possibility of players boycotting the Grand Slams, and her response probably won’t have gone down well with Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff. Sabalenka brought up the idea before the Italian Open, making it a topic that’s quickly gained momentum within the sport. The threat of a boycott now feels more real than ever.
While there’s still plenty of uncertainty around how it might play out, there’s little doubt that this issue isn’t going away anytime soon. But comments like Emma Raducanu’s certainly won’t be helping their case. She was asked about a potential boycott by Sky Sports and gave a response that fell short of supporting one.
Emma Raducanu pushes back against Aryna Sabalenka’s boycott claim Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images Sabalenka may have warned of a possible boycott, but Raducanu quickly dismissed the idea. Before pulling out of the Italian Open due to illness, Raducanu explained that she’d always choose to play in the majors because “to me, they are tennis. ” She went on to tell BBC Sport: “It gives you something that money can’t and that is what is the most important to me, and what I value the most.
Raducanu’s stance highlights a split in opinion over how best to address financial concerns in the sport. Coco Gauff had previously said she’d consider joining a boycott if enough players backed it. However, Raducanu’s comments suggest there isn’t yet widespread support for such action.
Why Aryna Sabalenka believes players should boycott Grand Slams Aryna Sabalenka’s call for a boycott comes down to one core issue – players are underpaid compared to other major sports, and her argument carries some weight. In sports like baseball and basketball, players receive around 50% of total revenue. In contrast, tennis offers far less.