‘Come to the table’ – stars pressure Grand Slams over prize money

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As the leading players continue to demand more prize money and player welfare, world number one Aryna Sabalenka has asked the Grand Slams to “come to the table.”

The top 20 men’s and women’s players, including those from the top 20, have asked the four majors, Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open, to give the field a bigger share of the tournament revenue.

The players’ group also wants a pledge to implement a significant change to the tournament structure and support provided by the Slams to protect their physical and mental health.

The Grand Slams insist on continuing to engage in constructive discussion about the sport’s future. In addition, they have vigorously defended what they currently offer the players in terms of prize money and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Slams represent the best sport in the world. I just want to see if there are any mutually beneficial solutions, Sabalenka told BBC Sport.

A growing number of famous players are venting their opinions in front of the public as they try to effect change, including Sabalenka, who won her fourth major singles title at the US Open last month.

The big names who spoke up about their concerns included Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff, who are also Grand Slam champions.

The players are frustrated and fear that the discussions have stalled because they believe they are not being heard at meetings with the Grand Slams earlier this year.

They are open to considering additional actions and have decided to put pressure on themselves by speaking out in public.

What do the stars want?

Each of the four Grand Slams has its own set of recommendations for the changes that the players would like to see implemented.

There are three main concerns:

  • prize money: a higher ratio of prize money to revenue in recognition of the players’ financial contributions to the tournaments’ financial success, with more money dwindling down the draws.
  • How much money will the Grand Slams contribute to the players’ pension, healthcare, and maternity pots?
  • more consultation – the players want to have a say in important Slams decisions to help with exhausting schedules, late-night finishes, and protracted tournaments

Sinner stated earlier this week that he thinks the Grand Slams should “make a fair contribution to support all players,” with the men’s world number one demanding immediate action for player pensions and healthcare.

The Grand Slams currently don’t support player welfare initiatives. The leading players would like for the majors to contribute in the same way that the ATP Tour and WTA Tour did, spending an additional £60 million between them.

Ben Shelton, an American top-10 player, made an apparent point in an interview with the Independent about how different tennis and other sports are in terms of revenue and prize money.

The Grand Slam tournaments, according to players’ representatives, received between 12.5% and 20% of their winnings in 2024, which represent the pinnacle of the sport.

However, Grand Slam insiders contest those figures. According to some, the Australian Open calculates that it offers 23% of its revenue in prize money.

In contrast, NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB players receive between 40% and 50% of the revenue that their rivals earn from their respective major American sports leagues.

The tennis stars have asked each Grand Slam to receive a staged increase over the next five years, eventually bringing them closer to the 22% mark at some of the top ATP and WTA combined tour events, though they are aware that team sports are a completely different model.

In contrast to the existing tour player councils, a player consultation group at all Grand Slams has also been suggested to the tournaments.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz pose with their Wimbledon trophiesImages courtesy of Getty

Why are players now speaking out in public?

The Grand Slam powerbrokers and the group of players, who are led by former WTA chief Larry Scott, have a dialogue that just started this year.

The players requested a meeting in a letter sent to the four majors in March. The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) filed a lawsuit against the governing bodies of tennis shortly after it was brought in for “anti-competitive practices and a flagrant disregard for player welfare.”

Six stars, including Madison Keys, Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner, were among the six stars who met with the leaders of all four Grand Slams at this year’s French Open to talk about the issues.

Following that, individual meetings with each Slam at Wimbledon were held on the players’ behalf, including men’s world number three Alexander Zverev and women’s semi-finalist Belinda Bencic.

Bencic told BBC Sport, “Those conversations were constructive, and we followed up with suggestions on how our three requests could be resolved.”

The players’ group addressed proposals to each of the four Grand Slams in letters to each.

Each of the tournaments sent responses, with Wimbledon advising them to take the suggestions into account.

The players are “infuriated,” and one source claims that the Grand Slams are being unfair to them.

The responses we received regarding the three important topics that we are actively looking for improvement on have disappointed us, Bencic said.

What else is said during the Grand Slams?

The Grand Slams have been keen to emphasize how much they make, in terms of pay, benefits, and status, in their discussions with the players.

Over the past few years, prize money has increased at each of the four majors.

For instance, Wimbledon offered £53.5 million this year, more than twice as much as it did in 2014.

Wimbledon’s first-round prize money increased by 128% over the past ten years, by 309% in qualifying, and by more for those competing in the doubles and wheelchair events, thanks to greater distribution throughout the draws.

The All England Club told BBC Sport, “Our position is always that we are always open to having constructive discussions to achieve the best possible outcome for the future success of our sport and for the benefit of our players and fans.”

We have a regular exchange with the players’ representatives to hear their opinions, and these discussions will continue.

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‘I hated builder gel manicures until I tried this new formula but now I’m converted’

We’ve tried out this beauty editor-loved professional nail polish brand’s new builder gel polish and are so pleased with the end result.

You’ll almost certainly have heard of “builder gel” manicures if you regularly get your nails done. Builder gel claims to have a stronger, longer-lasting finish than regular gel polish, which is a plus for those who want (and are struggling) to grow their own natural nails long, and is frequently also referred to as “BIAB” (incorrectly, BIAB is the name of the nail brand’s builder gel).

However, builder gel is never really appealing to me. My preferred length is for short nails, which can look chunky and weird because of the typically thicker finish than “normal” gel polish. I’ve always found that removing builder gel yourself, without access to an e-file, takes a lot more time and effort than it does removing it at home (this is how to make the process as quick and as easy as possible).

However, Bio Sculpture, a professional polish brand, has just released its first ever color builder gel due to customer demand. I went to the brand’s new treatment space in Selfridges to try them out for myself, which completely changed my opinion of builder manis because I’m already a huge fan of the brand (I’m actually trained in Bio Sculpture manicures).

Firstly, Bio Sculpture was the only company that could create a “builder” effect in the past. The brand has a wide range of base coats to suit all nail types, with some even launching Builder Gel Base earlier this year.

This is the first time color builder gels have been made, and they are HEMA-free, available in 10 flattering nude shades. They are designed to be applied directly to the base coat (Bio Sculpture suggests that your nail tech use the Flex base), significantly streamlining the procedure.

My technician uses a fine nail art brush to evenly distribute the product over the nail while applying these Color Builder Gels, which have a shorter brush than most (they’re also self-levelling), and they apply them as one coat rather than two. Another plus is that the cure time is only 30-seconds.

I chose Dream, a creamy, neutral pink, because all of the ten shades are very flattering and right up my alley (I always go for a nude). I could tell immediately how much stronger they felt compared to regular gel polish because it was smooth, glossy, and not bulky.

Ten days later, they still appear strong, durable, and with no indication of any signs of chip or lift, despite the fact that nail growth is beginning to appear at the base.

The ease with which these new builder gels appear is another factor that makes me so impressed. Although I’m not yet ready to remove mine, I’ve seen videos of the removal process on nail technicians’ Instagram accounts where the polish simply flakes off without hurting the nail itself (something I already adore about Bio Sculpture gel polishes).

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Lebanon slams Israel for intensifying attacks despite calls to negotiate

Israel has accused the country of escalating its airstrikes, the most recent of which resulted in the death of a motorcycle rider in southern Lebanon, under the leadership of the Lebanese president Joseph Aoun.

Israel has continued nearly daily airstrikes in five areas of southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire that was established in November 2024, repeatedly violating the truce. Hezbollah is claimed by Israel, but civilians have also been killed.

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After American President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire in Gaza, Aoun had demanded negotiations with Israel in the middle of October.

Lebanon is prepared to engage in negotiations to end the Israeli occupation, but any such negotiations require mutual apprehension, which is not the case, Aoun said on Friday.

Israel “is responding to this option by intensifying tensions and carrying out more attacks against Lebanon,” he said in a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

An Israeli drone was shot at a man riding a motorcycle in Kunin, Lebanon’s official news agency (NNA). One person was reported to have been killed and another to have been hurt, according to the ministry of public health.

A Hezbollah maintenance officer, according to the Israeli military, was “eliminated” while attempting to re-establish the organization’s southern Lebanon infrastructure sites.

A second attack on Friday targeted a building in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, according to the NNA, adding that a missile struck the building’s roof.

According to the statement, the explosion sounded loudly, causing “heightened tension and panic among residents.” There were no reported injuries.

Defending “Israeli aggression”

The Israeli military carried out the strikes in the Lebanese border village of Blida on Friday, one day after Ibrahim Salameh was fatally shot in an overnight raid by the military.

Aoun directed the army to repel these incursions on Thursday, “in defense of Lebanese territory and the safety of citizens.”

He said, “True patriotism entails freedom, independence, and sovereignty.” According to their role, “everyone in Lebanon has a responsibility to confront occupation.”

In contrast to the Hezbollah-led armed group, the Lebanese forces have typically remained silent about the conflict with Israel. However, Aoun, a former Lebanese army commander, appears to have come to an end to his patience with the Israeli-forced status quo.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem demanded on the Lebanese government to “achieve national sovereignty by expelling the Israeli occupation” in an address on Friday.

Qassem urged the government to create a strategy to support the army in order to combat “aggression” by Israel.

Following the start of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023, Hezbollah first started firing across borders at Israel, sparking a more than a year-long conflict that culminated in two months of open combat before the ceasefire was reached last year.

Israel has continued to launch airstrikes in Lebanon, killing dozens of people, including civilians, first responders, and journalists, and has increased the number of strikes in recent days.

According to a lebanese health ministry release, at least 25 people were killed in Israeli attacks in October, including one Syrian, according to a death toll.

Since the ceasefire ended on April 1, 111 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, according to Jeremy Laurence, a UN human rights commission spokesman.

Foreign Minister of Lebanon Youssef Raggi pleaded with his visiting German counterpart on Friday to “help put pressure on Israel to stop its attacks.”

The NNA quoted Raggi as saying, “Only a diplomatic solution, not a military one, can guarantee stability and calm in the south,” not a military solution.

He continued, adding that “the Lebanese government is putting all of its weapons under its control gradually.”

Davis accused of battery and kidnapping before Paul fight

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Two weeks before his scheduled fight with Jake Paul, lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis is facing a new lawsuit following fresh allegations of attacking an ex-girlfriend.

Former girlfriend Courtney Rossel’s ex-girlfriend filed a civil lawsuit against the 30-year-old on Thursday in Miami-Dade County, Florida, charging the boxer with battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional emotional distress.

Rossel is asking for a jury trial and “of over $50, 000” (£38, 145).

On November 14 in Miami, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul will take on American Davis in an exhibition match.

According to the new complaint, Davis had previously threatened to kill Rossel when she attacked her job on October 27.

Rossel claims that he “physically assaulted and choked” her in “at least” four previous ways.

Rossel is alleged to be seeking therapeutic treatment because of her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Two months prior, another ex-girlfriend dropped a domestic violence case against Davis.

In February 2020 and December 2022, he was also detained on domestic violence battery charges.

In connection with a criminal hit-and-run case that took place in his Baltimore hometown in November 2020, Davis violated the terms of his 90-day house arrest sentence and was sentenced to 44 days in prison in 2023.

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Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore put on cosy display in awkward Angelina Jolie pic recreation

Billy Bob Thornton, a 70-year-old actor, and Angelina Jolie, a 50-year-old Hollywood actress, wed for three years before the couple wed in 2000.

Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore have put on a cosy display in an awkward recreation of historic Angelina Jolie pictures. The pair of actors got very close as they appeared on the red carpet together this week.

On Thursday, the two of them made an appearance at the Landman premiere in Los Angeles. From 2000 to 2003, Billie and Angelina Jolie were married for three years.

The former couple was well-known for showing affection at gatherings together. The pair frequently posed for selfies, with Billy always resting his tender arm around Angelina’s torso.

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Since Billy and Connie Angland’s marriage didn’t work out, they are now married. On the red carpet, Billy had Demi as his arms wrapped around her.

They both attended the event to watch the Paramount+ show, and they are co-starring in Landman. Billy has already tied the knot six times throughout her marriage.

Additionally, he has three female children. The actor and Melissa Lee Gatlin had a daughter Amanda when they first got married in 1978.

His marriage to actress Toni Lawrence ended in 1986, but they broke up the following year and divorced in 1988. He married actress Cynda Williams from 1990 to 1992. Then, in 1993, Billy and Playboy model Pietra Dawn Cherniak were married. In 1997, the marriage ended.

The actress dated Laura Dern from 1997 until 1999 before getting married to Angelina in 2000. They divorced the following year and split in June 2002. In 2003, Billy continued to have a relationship with his current wife. While they were an item, he has previously claimed that he “never felt good enough for Angelina.”

Due to their contentious relationship, Angelina and Billy frequently made headlines during their relationship. They both once wore blood from each other around their necks at one point. Billy told The Hollywood Reporter in October 2014, “It was a crazy time. It’s never a good thing to me.

We were a lot of friends because she started making Tomb Raider and I started Monster’s Ball, he added. She thought it would be romantic and interesting if we slit these lockets with a small razor blade, smeared some blood on them, and wore them as baby hair on one for your son or daughter.

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We were dangling blood around our necks from that, according to the statement. And we were a dungeon dweller and vampires.

De Klerk eyes one final clutch moment to seal glory

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Over the years, South African cricket has struggled to get past the line.

Both their international teams, both men’s and women’s, have consistently come oh-so-close to winning a significant trophy, only to fall at the final (or semi-final) hurdle.

The narrative has remained the same from 1999’s Edgbaston to Cape Town and then Dubai in 2023 and 2024. That is until Lord’s 2025, when the men’s team won the World Test Championship and caused intense emotions in South Africans who love cricket.

In Navi Mumbai on Sunday, the women’s side will face hosts India in the world cup final. With one albatross removed, the women’s side will now face them.

Nadine de Klerk, or “de Clutch,” as she’s come to be known this tournament, moves forward.

The Pretoria-born all-rounder scored stunning sixes in thrilling group-stage matches against India and Bangladesh to seal the victory. Not bad either, with a 17-ball 41 against Pakistan.

De Klerk refers to the tight matches as “if we went back a few years, we would probably end up on the losing side.”

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De Klerk embodies a toughness for this South African team, which has helped them win two T20 World Cup championships in recent years.

De Klerk bowled a superb four-over performance of 1-17 in their 2023 victory over England. They shocked Australia in the UAE last year.

We’ve definitely changed to “we’re just going to rock up at a World Cup and hope we give one or two teams a good run for their money,” he said. We actually feel like we’re actually competing, she tells BBC Sport.

South Africa lost in the subsequent final twice, but de Klerk is aware that they are getting closer. “Last year, losing to New Zealand in that World Cup final left many people very emotional,” de Klerk said. Therefore, I believe winning would only have a positive impact on South African women’s cricket.

South Africa started their tournament winning run with a 69-run run against England in their opening match of the tournament, before winning for the first time in their history by five games and making it to the final four.

By 125 runs, they had already demolished England there. They are performing well.

De Klerk continues, “It’s part of my DNA to be very feisty and quite aggressive and hate losing,” in a statement about her group-stage batting exploits. Never do I ever feel like a game is over on a cricket field.

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De Klerk, a highly successful javelin thrower in her youth, has discovered how to always display this resilience.

She said, “You just never give up, it does not matter how it looks,” as my dad always said.

Things won’t always go your way in life, I just believe that’s true of life in general. Even if you can sulk about it, your situation won’t really change.

“I sometimes think cricket can be won mentally,” I think. It’s possible to possess all the skills in the world, but it’s kind of pointless if you don’t believe or support it.

We possess the strength, mentality, grit, fight, and ability to defeat any opponent on any given day.

World Cup of Women’s Cricket Final

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