Former British tennis star and BBC Wimbledon pundit Andrew Castle has warned the game's biggest names they risk doing more harm than good if they continue protesting over prize money and revenue sharing.
Speaking as debate rages over whether players deserve a bigger slice of tennis's financial pie, Castle insisted the stars "may well have a point" about the sport's economics – but urged them not to forget where their fame and fortune comes from.
His comments come amid growing unrest among leading players over the distribution of revenues across the professional game, with some suggesting stronger action could be needed to force change.
But Castle believes any move towards a work-to-rule approach, including refusing media duties, would be a serious own goal.
Andrew Castle hit out at tennis stars protesting their pay packets
| PA"The first observation I would make is, if you go up to somebody in the street and you say, 'What do you think about the tennis at the Madrid Masters 1000?' They're going to go, 'What are you talking about?'" Castle told Betway.
He argued that while tournaments such as Madrid, Shanghai and Indian Wells are hugely significant within tennis, they simply do not have the public recognition enjoyed by the four Grand Slams.
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Castle believes that difference is crucial when it comes to the sport's commercial success.
"The Grand Slams, they have an identity and they're a brand," he explained.
"They are the number one thing. The players are everything. But just remember the platform.
"They may be the head, but the neck is the Grand Slams and without the slams and without working together, the game suffers."
Wimbledon is set to be hit by a protest by the players over pay | GETTYThe broadcaster also pointed to tennis's enormous value as a television product, saying the sport is perfectly designed for the modern broadcasting landscape.
With matches available around the world across digital platforms, tennis provides broadcasters with hours of live content, while the 90-second breaks between games create ideal opportunities for commercial advertising.
Yet despite that exposure, Castle claimed most casual sports fans still only truly engage with the Grand Slams.
"Nobody knows what they're watching, right? Seriously," he said.
According to Castle, it is Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open that drive sponsorship, attract global audiences and create the commercial opportunities players ultimately benefit from.
That is why he fears any attempt by players to withdraw cooperation with the media or limit their public appearances could quickly backfire.
"So, before you withdraw your labour in some way and think it's going to make even the slightest bit of difference to not speak to the press, remember, the person that you're not selling is you," he warned.
"I don't think it looks good."
Castle stressed he is not dismissing the players' concerns, acknowledging they "may well have a point" over revenue sharing and also backing continued discussions over a more streamlined calendar.
However, he believes the dispute must be resolved through negotiation rather than confrontation.
"The last thing we need is people who are handsomely paid suddenly acting sullen or difficult," he added.
"But there's a lot to talk about, and the dialogue goes on. Don't start thinking that work-to-rule is going to benefit you, because it won't, in my opinion."