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Tennis: Ruud wants ‘fair share’ of Grand Slam revenue for players

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by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.

Norwegian Ruud estimates players’ prize money “represents on average 15 percent of the revenue” made during the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

“As a player, I don’t feel like it’s fair,” Ruud told AFP on the sidelines of an Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in the southern French city of Nimes.

“If you compare with other major sports around the world, NFL, MLB, NBA, they are closer to 50 percent revenue sharing.”

Former US and French Open runner up Ruud’s comments come after it was revealed several top 20 players sent a letter to Grand Slam organisers, requesting a more favourable revenue distribution.

On Thursday, a source within the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed to AFP they had received such a letter.

“We responded by proposing a direct, open, and constructive meeting, starting at the Madrid Open (April 22-May 4), at Roland Garros (May 25-June 8), or at any other convenient time,” the FFT source added.

Asked by AFP if he had signed the letter, Ruud said he could not “talk too much about the details, but it’s definitely a possibility that this happened”.

“The biggest thing that I don’t think people know enough is the revenue sharing of the Grand Slams and where they make their money or how they distribute their revenue,” the 26-year-old added.

– ‘Financially exploiting’ –
Last month, a players’ union co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the PTPA, accused tennis’ governing bodies of “financially exploiting” players.

For Ruud, “in a fair world,” the revenue distribution between the four Grand Slams and the players should be “50-50”.

“I don’t think we’ll ever get there. But if we can get closer, I think every percentage helps,” said the former world number two who considers himself “extremely privileged” financially having won more than $23 million since turning pro a decade ago.

“And even for the guys who lose earlier, qualifiers, first round, second round, you name it, those who maybe don’t necessarily end up with millions of money after a year, a few extra hundred thousand will go a long way.

“You look at the USTA or the US Open, they make over $500 million and they pay $65 to $70 million.

“But personally I don’t think it’s fair that someone pays 15 percent when I think the players are as equally important as the tournament.

“Slams in the last years have decided to start tournaments a day earlier,” with the exception of Wimbledon, which always starts on a Monday, three-time Grand Slam finalist Ruud pointed out.

“Most of them, they make these types of decisions without even talking with the players, asking for their opinions.

“So there are certain things that Slams have done in the last years where we feel like it’s time to react and ask for a meeting and then to discuss different topics.”

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Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest

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Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.

According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.

Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.

A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.

Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.

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Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo

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Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.

According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.

Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.

However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.

The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.

The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.

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LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid

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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.

Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.

One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.

Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.

Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.

Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.

The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.

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