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Sabalenka expects grand slam boycott 'at some point'

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Aryna Sabalenka believes players will boycott a grand slam "at some point" due to an ongoing dispute over prize money.

Both the top-10 ranked men's and women's players are asking for a higher percentage of the revenue generated by the four grand slams, as well as a greater say in their scheduling.

Last year's prize money at the US Open grew by 20%, while this season's Australian Open fund rose by almost 16%.

The prize pot at this month's French Open has increased by 9.5%, though the players felt they deserved 22% of the tournament's revenue.

Sabalenka recently became the sixth player to claim 150 WTA-1000 wins since the format's introduction in 2009; only Victoria Azarenka (199) has claimed 150 wins in fewer matches than Sabalenka (200).

While Wimbledon will announce its prize money next month, Sabalenka has not ruled out a boycott in the future.

"I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that's going to be the only way to kind of fight for our rights," the Belarusian said ahead of the Italian Open.

"I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us, there wouldn't be a tournament, and there wouldn't be that entertainment."

World number three Iga Swiatek also expressed her disappointment over the prize money figures, but felt a boycott could be too "extreme".

"I think the most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate," said Swiatek.

"Hopefully, before Roland Garros, there's going to be opportunity to have these type of meetings, and we'll see how they go.

"But boycotting the tournament, it's a bit extreme kind of situation. I guess we as players are here to play as individuals, and we're competing against each other.

"So it's really hard for me to say how it would work, if it's even there on the picture. For now, I haven't heard anything."