NIMES: Former world number two Casper Ruud said on Thursday tennis players were not receiving a fair share of the millions generated by the Grand Slams.

Norwegian Ruud estimates players` prize money `represents on average 15 per cent of the revenue` made during the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

`As a player, I don`t feel like it`s fair, Ruud told AFP on the sidelines of an Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in the southern French city of Nimes.

`If you compare with other major sports around the world, NFL, MLB, NBA, they are closer to 50 per cent revenue sharing.

Former US and French Open runner up Ruud`s comments come after it was revealed several top 20 players sent a let-ter to Grand Slam organisers, requesting a more favourable revenue distribution.

On Thursday, a source within the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed to AFP they had received such a letter.

`We responded by proposing a direct, open, and constructive meeting, starting at the Madrid Open (April 22-May 4), at Roland Garros (May 25-June 8), or at any other convenient time,` the FFT source added. Asked by AFP if he had signed the letter, Ruud said he could not `talk too much about the details, but it`s definitely a possibility that this happened`.

`The biggest thing that I don`t think people know enough is the revenue sharing of the Grand Slams and where they make their money or how they distribute their revenue,` the 26-year-old added.Last month, a players`union co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the PTPA, accused tennis` governing bodies of `financially exploiting` players.

For Ruud, `in a fair world,` the revenue distribution between the four Grand Slams and the players should be `50-50`.

`I don`t think we`ll ever get there. But if we can get closer, I think every percentage helps,` said the former world number two who considers himself `extremely privileged` financially having won more than $23 million since turning pro a decade ago.

`And even for the guys who lose earlier, qualifiers, first round, second round, you name it, those who maybe don`t necessarily end up with millions of money after a year, a few extra hundred thousand will go a long way.`You look at the USTA or the US Open, they make over $500 million and they pay $65 to $70 million.

`But personally I don`t think it`s fair that someone pays 15 per cent when I think the players are as equally important as the tournament.

`Slams in the last years have decided to start tournaments a day earlier,` with the exception of Wimbledon, which always starts on a Monday, three-time Grand Slam finalist Ruud pointed out.

`Most of them, they make these types of decisions without even talking with the players, asking for their opinions.

`So there are certain things that Slams have done in the last years where we feel like it`s time to react and ask for a meeting and then to discuss different topics.`-AFP