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ATP denies grand slam boycott threat ahead of US Open

Roger Federer is prepared for crunch talks with officials on behalf of the players © Getty Images

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The ATP insists it is not organising a grand slam to be held in Dubai in response to reports in the English press that elite players will boycott next year's Australian Open.

On the eve of the final grand slam of 2012 in New York, a report in London's Sunday Times stated the ATP have discussed staging a new event in the United Arab Emirates in January instead of Melbourne. The report comes as players are scheduled to meet over prize money given to those who exit a slam in the early rounds.

However, while confirming that talks over players receiving a higher percentage of grand slam revenue are ongoing, the ATP declared via a statement late on Sunday evening that reports of a boycott are misguided.

"The ATP has been clear and repetitive in telling players that it will not organise a boycott," said spokesperson Kate Gordon.

"Instead, ATP Management and players have taken a diplomatic approach this year with the grand slams to address player compensation issues.

"The grand slams are important events that generate significant revenues, and the players who perform there should share in an acceptable percentage of those revenues like they do on the ATP World Tour.

"We are pleased that the discussions initiated by the ATP with each of the grand slams this year have resulted in certain prize money increases for players in 2012, and we remain focused on our active dialogue with these events about player compensation for 2013 and beyond."

Meanwhile, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley says he has spoken to world No. 1 and president of the ATP players' council, Roger Federer, over the issue while in New York. Tilley remains "very confident" that no boycott will take place.

"Our relationship with the playing group is very, very strong," he said. "It's in everyone's interests (not to strike). We're very confident that whatever needs to be resolved will be."

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