Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has called on Grand Slam organisers to further increase prize money, stressing that lower-ranked players deserve a fairer share of the sport’s booming revenues.

Speaking ahead of his US Open campaign, the 24-time Grand Slam champion welcomed the recent 20% increase in prize money by the United States Tennis Association, which raised the total purse to a record $90 million (£67.4m). However, Djokovic said the move was not enough.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” the 38-year-old Serbian told reporters on Friday. “But is it ideal? No. I think there’s still a lot more room for improvement.”

Djokovic clarified that his concerns are not about personal earnings, but about the struggles of players outside the sport’s elite ranks.

“When I talk about this, people say, ‘Oh, he wants more money for himself.’ That’s not it,” he explained. “Not many tennis players can actually make a living from this sport globally. That’s something we don’t talk about enough.”

The world No.1 also highlighted the commercial strength of the Grand Slams, saying prize money should reflect their rising revenues and global influence.

“We live in a commercial world. Sports and entertainment are massive businesses. Grand Slams are doing really well financially. Yes, they’ve raised prize money, but they’re also making more revenue year after year. Inflation also has to be considered,” Djokovic added.

His comments come as tensions continue between players and tennis governing bodies. Earlier this year, the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) — co-founded by Djokovic — filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, ITF, and ITIA, accusing them of anti-competitive practices and neglecting player welfare.

While Djokovic said he doesn’t fully endorse every aspect of the case, he agreed with its broader goal of improving conditions for players across all levels.

Djokovic will begin his US Open journey on Sunday, facing American teenager Learner Tien at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.