Weindorfer Says Stuttgart Open Keeps 20 to 30 Percent Budget Share
At the stuttgart open, tournament director Edwin Weindorfer said the prize-money fight shaking tennis will not change how Stuttgart runs the Boss Open. He pointed to a budget model in which prize money and the usual appearance fees account for 20 to 30 percent of the total.
The dispute has centered on money at the top of the sport. Players have demanded a bigger share of revenue, with some threatening boycotts, while the French Open payout schedule drew fresh criticism after the women’s and men’s winners each received 2.8 million euros and the finalists got half that amount.
Weindorfer at Weissenhof
Weindorfer delivered his response on Tuesday afternoon at the Stuttgart Weissenhof. He said the recent discussions have no influence on Stuttgart’s handling of the event, adding that prize money at the tournament has traditionally stayed within that 20 to 30 percent band when appearance fees are included.
He also described the standard treatment for players at tournaments, saying they are well looked after with five-star hotel accommodation, a driver and everything delivered and provided for them. In his view, tennis professionals earn very well and usually live a worry-free life, a sharp contrast to the wider argument over how much of the sport’s revenue should go back to the players.
Sinner and Sabalenka
The pressure behind the debate came from the top of the game. Jannik Sinner said, “Es geht um Respekt”, while Aryna Sabalenka raised the possibility of a boycott. A group of leading professionals says players receive only about 15 percent of tournament revenue and is pushing for 22 percent at the Grand Slams.
That demand lands in a sport where the majors and the ATP Tour each operate financially on their own. Weindorfer’s answer in Stuttgart was simple: similar debates have never required action at the Boss Open, and this year’s winner will still receive about 117,000 euros.
Hanfmann on Centre Court
Yannick Hanfmann offered the event’s on-court counterpoint on Tuesday, winning his opening match on the Centre Court in two sets. The world No. 59 said after the match, “Es wäre erst mal schön, wenn wir künftig al”.
His result kept Stuttgart’s focus on play rather than protest. Hanfmann’s own comments pointed to the same divide running through the week: players want a more unified tour, while tournament leadership in Stuttgart says it will keep operating under its own financial structure.
