Tennis Players Move Push for Pay and Reforms into New Grand Slam Council

A general view of Ben Shelton of the United States in action against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
A general view of Ben Shelton of the United States in action against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Tennis Players Move Push for Pay and Reforms into New Grand Slam Council

A general view of Ben Shelton of the United States in action against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)
A general view of Ben Shelton of the United States in action against Alexander Zverev of Germany in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

Top tennis players ‌said on Monday they would cease to publicly campaign for greater influence and financial benefits from the four Grand Slams, choosing instead to pursue their objectives through a new Player Advisory Council.

Players launched their campaign in March 2025 for a greater voice in Grand Slam decision-making, more player welfare funding and a larger share of tournament revenues, including a proposal for them to receive 22% of tournament revenues as prize money.

The campaign gained momentum this year as players cut short pre-tournament media duties at the French Open and Wimbledon in protest, while ‌the Grand Slams ‌have all increased prize money amid growing pressure ‌from ⁠the group.

The players ⁠said the agreement on a council and the progress toward their key objectives marked a "significant step" forward.

"The players will now work directly with the Grand Slams to establish the council, through which players themselves will be directly consulted and able to negotiate on an ongoing basis," the group said in a statement.

The group acknowledged that the Grand Slams ⁠had yet to meet players' target of receiving 22% ‌of tournament revenues by 2030, but ‌said prize money had risen significantly since the campaign began last year.

Prize pots ‌have risen across the majors, with this year's purses reaching $79.92 million ‌at the Australian Open, $71.56 million at the French Open, $86.79 million at Wimbledon and a record $108 million at the US Open.

The group estimated that more than $30 million of recent prize-money increases across the majors exceeded historical growth trends ‌and welcomed a French Open proposal to link payouts to tournament profits.

Players said they would let the ⁠formally established council ⁠pursue their outstanding objectives through engagement with the four Grand Slams.

They also welcomed the US Open becoming the first Grand Slam to commit $2 million toward player welfare, saying they hoped the contribution would increase over time and prompt similar proposals from the other three majors.

"This stands as a testament to the gains made possible by concerted, unified player action in an individual sport, and by constructive dialogue with the Grand Slams and tournament organizers," the statement added.

"The players look to the Council to build on this progress and continue pursuing the aims not yet fully achieved.

"Players reserve the right to restart the campaign should the council fail to deliver on these aims."



After Years of Frustration, Davidovich Fokina Wins Third Title of 2026

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the Men's Singles final match against Rafael Jodar of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the Men's Singles final match against Rafael Jodar of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
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After Years of Frustration, Davidovich Fokina Wins Third Title of 2026

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the Men's Singles final match against Rafael Jodar of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2026. (EPA)
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain poses with his trophy after winning the Men's Singles final match against Rafael Jodar of Spain at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, 18 October 2026. (EPA)

Alejandro Davidovich ‌Fokina waited seven years for an ATP Tour title then three came along at once.

The Spaniard, who made his tour debut in April 2019, captured the Shanghai Masters title with a 1-6 7-6(5) 6-4 win over compatriot Rafael Jodar on Sunday, earning him ‌a third career ‌trophy after his wins ‌in ⁠Chengdu last month ⁠and Mallorca in June.

"I cannot describe with words what I achieved in this Chinese swing," Davidovich Fokina, who lost his first five ATP finals, told a ⁠press conference.

"I never thought I ‌would have ‌two titles after two months out. ‌But I'm really, really happy. I ‌think my team (were) pushing me. It was difficult when I was at home, and they were pushing me ‌very hard.

"They knew that I can achieve these kind ⁠of ⁠things. So I am very grateful (for) what they have done, because they were believing in me."

The 27-year-old, whose win in Chengdu came in his first tournament back after a two-month layoff due to a back injury, has risen from number 26 in the world rankings to a career-high 13.


McLaren to Sell Five F1 Cars, All Driven by Champions and One by Brad Pitt

 11 October 2026, Singapore, Marina Bay: British Formula One driver Lando Norris of team McLaren drives during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. (dpa)
11 October 2026, Singapore, Marina Bay: British Formula One driver Lando Norris of team McLaren drives during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. (dpa)
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McLaren to Sell Five F1 Cars, All Driven by Champions and One by Brad Pitt

 11 October 2026, Singapore, Marina Bay: British Formula One driver Lando Norris of team McLaren drives during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. (dpa)
11 October 2026, Singapore, Marina Bay: British Formula One driver Lando Norris of team McLaren drives during the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. (dpa)

McLaren are selling five fully-functioning Formula One cars driven by champions, including Lewis Hamilton and the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna, with one also tested by Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.

The cars, to be sold through high-end dealer Tom Hartley Jr. and expected to raise tens of millions of dollars, will be prepared by the reigning constructors' champions for their next owners.

Hartley Jr. also sold the collection of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and 20 road cars belonging to the late McLaren co-owner Mansour Ojjeh.

"We have decided to part with these iconic McLaren Formula One cars because we feel that having them simply sitting ‌in storage is ‌a disservice to what they represent," McLaren Racing CEO Zak ‌Brown ⁠said in a ⁠statement on Sunday.

"These cars were built to be driven and raced, and we want to see them being used and enjoyed. We believe that is the best way to keep our history alive and our heritage business active."

PITT DROVE ONE AFTER FILMING F1 MOVIE

The five span 32 years of McLaren history, starting with two MP4/6A cars (chassis numbers 04 and 07 with Honda V12 engines) raced by Austrian Gerhard Berger and tested by Senna during the 1991 title-winning campaign.

Chassis 04 finished ⁠second in a one-two at the San Marino Grand Prix with ‌the McLarens lapping the entire field. Chassis 07 came second ‌at McLaren's home British Grand Prix. Both have been in McLaren's possession ever since.

A 2012 McLaren ‌MP4/27A (chassis 01) raced by 2009 world champion Jenson Button and tested by seven-times world champion ‌Hamilton is also for sale.

Two cars raced exclusively by reigning champion Lando Norris in 2021 and 2023 complete the group.

The 2021 McLaren MCL35M took Norris to the podium in Imola, Monaco and Monza while the 2023 MCL37A-03 won successive races in Singapore and Japan and was tested post-season by a roster ‌of drivers including Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri and Mick Schumacher, son of F1 great Michael.

The 2023 McLaren was driven by Pitt in ⁠a private test ⁠at Austin's Circuit of the Americas in June last year in connection with his starring role in "F1 the Movie" and is the most modern F1 car offered for sale to a private owner. Pitt reportedly took it up to a speed of 197mph (317kph).

"It is incredibly rare for a collector to have the opportunity to acquire race-driven Grand Prix cars directly from the manufacturer and team that built and campaigned them, and that makes this a very special offering," said Hartley.

"These five cars will be offered individually and there is no time pressure whatsoever. Our priority, and McLaren’s, is to find the right homes for them."

Although no prices were given, they are expected to range from 5 million pounds ($6.7 million) to as much as 10 million.

A McLaren MP4-25A raced by Hamilton to victory in Türkiye in 2010 sold for 4.8 million pounds in 2021 while a winning 2001 Ferrari raced by Michael Schumacher fetched $7.5 million in New York in 2017.


Man United Show Fight but Familiar Flaws Remain in Leeds Draw

 18 October 2026, United Kingdom, Leeds: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. (dpa)
18 October 2026, United Kingdom, Leeds: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. (dpa)
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Man United Show Fight but Familiar Flaws Remain in Leeds Draw

 18 October 2026, United Kingdom, Leeds: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. (dpa)
18 October 2026, United Kingdom, Leeds: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick applauds the fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road. (dpa)

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick took heart from his team's resilience in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Leeds United, but his description of the result as a "step forward" underlined how far expectations have fallen during a difficult spell for the club.

One win from seven league games has left United languishing in 13th, a stark contrast to last season's third-place finish and evidence that their problems run deeper than a difficult week.

Carrick conceded ‌they had fallen ‌short of the quality they are capable of ‌producing, ⁠particularly on the ball, ⁠but he found encouragement in the discipline and togetherness his players showed in the pressure of a fierce rivalry at Elland Road.

"Maybe if you talk about top quality, maybe it wasn't top, top quality I think we are capable of playing," Carrick said. "With the results we've had we weren't quite flowing but there's enough in there to take from it."

The greater significance for Carrick appeared ⁠to lie in how United responded to adversity.

After being outplayed ‌in a 1-1 draw with bottom side ‌Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and losing 2-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, ‌the build-up to Sunday's game was further complicated by Lisandro Martinez publicly ‌criticizing the club hierarchy before apologizing.

Against that backdrop, Carrick placed greater emphasis on structure than style. United were harder to break down, and he praised his players for sticking to their roles and responsibilities in what he described as a tense game ‌that could have gone either way.

"It's a bit more than just effort," Carrick said. "It is the way you go ⁠about it. The ⁠plan. The responsibilities. The roles. I thought the boys took that responsibility on really well for the most part."

Yet familiar shortcomings remained. United surrendered their lead from a set piece and lacked enough quality in possession to take control of the match, leaving Carrick with another draw rather than the victory his side badly needed.

After a week dominated as much by events off the pitch as those on it, however, Carrick was keen to stress that the dressing room remained united.

"I suppose you're looking at the togetherness, the spirit, the unit. I don't doubt that within the group," he said. "The way that we went about it today gives me a lot of belief in us moving forward."

United head to Como for a Champions League game on Wednesday.