Elena Rybakina Joins Grand Slam Player Council with Djokovic

Elena Rybakina has joined the newly formed Grand Slam Player Council, with Novak Djokovic affirming his backing for stronger player representation. The council, comprising six men and six women selected to represent players, includes world No.1 Rybakina and Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime as confirmed members.

The full roster features a mix of top-ranked and emerging talent. On the women's side, alongside Rybakina, are Belarusian world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, American No.3 Jessica Pegula, Ukrainian world No.7 Elina Svitolina, American Iva Jovic, ranked 13, and Greece's Maria Sakkari, ranked 33. The men's side includes German world No.2 Alexander Zverev, American Ben Shelton (ranked 4), Auger-Aliassime (ranked 5), Italian Lorenzo Musetti (ranked 25), and Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech (ranked 33).

Djokovic’s role as founder and his current stance on player advocacy

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner and current world No.2, is a founder member of the council. The 39-year-old has a long history of player advocacy, having served as president of the ATP Player Council and founding the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), though he later stepped back from that role. Djokovic stated his position is very clear: he supports the players and always will support a stronger player position in the ecosystem.

However, regarding the recent player-led movement for increased prize money, Djokovic is taking a more observational role. "I am watching more from the side, to be honest. I haven’t been part of those meetings and conversations," he said. He disagreed with the direction of the PTPA after it initiated legal action against the game’s authorities and did not join top players demanding more prize money earlier this year.

How the Council emerged from player protests and prize money demands

The Grand Slam Player Council was created directly from player-led protests over revenue share. Its formation halted threats by top players to withdraw from Grand Slam events. Players have campaigned for more than a year, arguing they should receive a higher percentage of revenue from the four major tournaments, seeking around 22 percent compared to roughly 15 percent at the start of the year.

Protests at the French Open and Wimbledon saw some players cut short media commitments to pressure tournaments. They demanded a greater share of revenue, plus investment in pensions and player welfare. In response, the four Grand Slams announced the creation of the council on the eve of the US Open in August, stating its exact shape would be decided after discussions with players.

Since the movement began, the majors have announced substantial prize money increases. The council's stated purpose is to examine all sporting matters relating to Grand Slam tournaments and provide a framework for regular dialogue on issues like wellbeing and remuneration.

Notable absences and the broader context of player leadership

While the council includes many top names, several high-profile players are absent. On the men's side, world No.1 Jannik Sinner and world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz are not on the list. Among women, American world No.4 Coco Gauff is the highest-ranked absentee. These omissions highlight ongoing discussions about player unity and representation.

Djokovic's involvement as a founder, despite his stepped-back role in the PTPA and current distance from direct prize money negotiations, signals his enduring influence. His support lends significant weight to the new body. The council will examine all sporting matters relating to the Grand Slam tournaments and provide a framework for regular dialogue between players and organisers on issues including prize money and player wellbeing.