NEW YORK — The tennis Grand Slams took a major step in working with its players last week, announcing they will create a Grand Slam Advisory Council and add a player support program alongside record prize money at the US Open.
There is still, however, little that is set in stone about the council, including the players who will be a part of it, women’s No. 3 Jessica Pegula told Front Office Sports on Friday at the US Open.
“We haven’t really gotten into the nitty gritty of how people will be selected for the council,” said Pegula, who is also part of the WTA Players’ Council. She added that there are “some top players and other players who are very interested.”
A spokesperson for the USTA told Front Office Sports that the idea was for the council to be announced ahead of the tournament, but that the finer details will be ironed out in the weeks following the year’s final Grand Slam.
Asked by FOS about the USTA’s announcements, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who has suggested the possibility of boycotting a tournament, said during her press conference Friday that she was “super happy” about the announcements.
