Top tennis players criticize French Open prize money and governance
Consensus Summary
Top tennis players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and others, have criticized the French Open for offering insufficient prize money increases despite record revenues. The 2026 prize pool of €61.7 million represents a 9.5% to 10% rise, but players argue their share of tournament revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.3% in 2025, far below their requested 22%. Players also demand better welfare provisions, pensions, and a greater role in governance decisions. The dispute follows a year of negotiations with all four grand slams, with players noting other tournaments like the Australian Open and US Open have provided larger compensation increases. The French Open begins May 24, 2026, in Paris, while players plan to continue their advocacy at the Italian Open in Rome.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are among top players expressing 'deep disappointment' over French Open prize money increases.
- French Open prize money for 2026 is €61.7 million ($100.7 million), a 9.5% (ABC) or 10% (Guardian) increase from 2025.
- Players claim their share of Roland Garros revenue fell from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026 (ABC) or 14.3% in 2025 (Guardian).
- Tournament revenue for 2025 was €395 million, a 14% year-on-year increase, while prize money rose by 5.4% (ABC) or 5.3% (Guardian).
- Players requested a 22% share of grand slam revenues to match ATP/WTA Combined 1000 events.
- The French Open begins on May 24, 2026, in Paris.
- Players' statement includes demands for better welfare (pensions, health), fair representation, and governance reform.
- Novak Djokovic was not among the signatories of the latest player statement (ABC) despite being listed in the Guardian headline.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Australian Open increased players' compensation by 16% in 2026, while the US Open prize money rose by 20% in 2025.
- The players' original letter from 2025 included Djokovic as a signatory, but he did not sign the 2026 statement.
- The French Open organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comments (ABC).
- Players cited a projected 2026 revenue of over €400 million with prize money share likely below 15%.
- The statement was released by a communications firm on May 4, 2026.
- Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton are explicitly named as part of the group of players criticizing the grand slams.
- Players are expected to make further criticisms at the Italian Open in Rome starting May 4, 2026.
- The Guardian notes the prize money increase is 'significantly less' than the 20% rise at the US Open last year.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states prize money increased by 10% (€61.7m), while the Guardian says 9.5% (€61.7m).
- The ABC says prize money rose by 5.4% in 2025, while the Guardian says 5.3%.
- The Guardian headline includes Djokovic, but the ABC clarifies he did not sign the latest statement.
Source Articles
Players express 'deep disappointment' over French Open prize money
Top players, including world number ones on the men's and women's tour, criticise the increased French Open prize money pool as not being enough amidst other unresolved welfare demands.
Leading tennis players including Djokovic and Sabalenka unhappy with French Open prize money
Group release joint statement over pay concerns Players also call for greater say in tennis schedule A group of the world’s top 20 male and female players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, have released a joint statement expressing their disappointment at the level of prize money on offer at the French Open later this month. The top players have been in dispute with all four grand slams for more than a year, as they feel they are given an insufficient shar