Ahead of this month’s French Open, the row between tennis players and the four Grand Slams is intensifying, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka saying players may eventually boycott the tournament if talks over prize money and player benefits continue to be deadlocked. Sabalenka addressed the issue directly after signing a statement with 20 top players including Novak Djokovic, Yannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek during the opening week of the 2026 Italian Open in Rome expressing “deep disappointment” with the financial structure surrounding the Grand Slam. “Without us there would be no tournament and no entertainment like that,” Sabalenka told Sky Sports. “I feel like we should be paid more. “I think at some point we’re going to resist it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”
Players challenge Grand Slam income distribution
The players issued a statement after French Open organizers confirmed a roughly 9.5% increase in prize money at Roland Garros, taking total prize money to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), an increase of 5.3 million euros ($6.2 million) from last year, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving 2.8 million euros ($3.28 million). The runner-up will receive 1.4 million euros ($1.64 million), the semifinalists will receive 750,000 euros ($878,685), the first-round loser will receive 87,000 euros ($101,927), the men’s and women’s doubles champion will receive 600,000 euros ($702,786), and the mixed doubles champion will receive 600,000 euros ($702,786). €122,000 ($142,899). Despite these increases, players believe their overall share of tournament revenue is still declining.A statement released on Monday said that while tournament revenue continues to grow significantly, players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has fallen from 15.5% in 2024 to a projected 14.9% in 2026.The statement said: “According to tournament officials, the revenue of the French Open in 2025 will be 395 million euros, a year-on-year increase of 14%, but the prize money will only increase by 5.4%, and the player income proportion will drop to 14.3%.”
FILE – Spectators watch Norway’s Caspar Rudd play against Spain’s Rafael Nadal on Court Philippe Chatrier, known as Center Court, during the final match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris on June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Thibaud Camus, File)
“Revenue for this year’s tournament is expected to exceed €400 million and prize money as a proportion of revenue is likely to remain below 15%, well below the 22% required by players to bring the Grand Slam in line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events. With Roland Garros on track to earn record revenue, the share of value received by players continues to decline. “ Players also believe the issue goes beyond the bonus itself. “More critically, this announcement does not address the structural issues that players have legitimately and consistently raised over the past year. There is no reference to player welfare and no progress towards establishing a formal player consultation mechanism in Grand Slam decision-making. “The Grand Slams remain resistant to change. The lack of consultation with players and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflects a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are vital to the success of the sport.”
Benefits, Pensions and Scheduling Issues
The same players had signed a letter to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments last year seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called “decisions that directly affect us”.The communications company that released the statement said it was issued in the name of the original signer of the original letter, and later added that Novak Djokovic did not sign the new statement, the Associated Press reported. The concerns raised fell broadly into three categories: higher prize money-to-earnings ratios, increased contributions to pensions, healthcare and maternity support, and greater involvement of players in scheduling and match decisions. Players point out that the ATP and WTA tours allocate about 22% of revenue to competitors and contribute about $80 million a year to player benefits and pension plans, while estimates for the Grand Slams typically put it between 12% and 16%. Discussions over the schedule have also become part of a wider divide, with players raising concerns about late-night finishes, expanded formats and an increasingly crowded schedule. Sabalenka made the remarks during the Italian Open at Piazza Italia, which takes place from May 5 to 17 and is one of the last major clay-court events before the French Open starts later this month. Djokovic returns to action in Rome after missing six weeks with a shoulder injury, missing the Miami Open and Madrid Open while recovering, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is sidelined with a wrist injury.
Swiatek urges talks, not boycott
Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion and one of the signatories of the statement, did not support the boycott but called for direct discussions with tournament organizers before the French Open starts on May 24. “The most important thing is to have proper communication and discussion with the governing bodies so that we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate,” Switek said. “Hopefully there will be an opportunity for such a meeting before Roland Garros and we will see how it goes. “But boycotting games is a bit extreme.” French Open organizers did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press after the players’ statement, while Djokovic, who has previously advocated for an increase in Grand Slam prize money, remains one of the leading figures supporting the sport as discussions continue ahead of the season’s second Grand Slam.Full list of players involved in campaign to change Roland Garros’ bonus structure:Women: Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, Zheng Qingwen, Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva.But: Yannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex De Minaur, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrei Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
