Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner A group of top tennis players, including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenkova and Coco Gauff, have raised concerns about prize money at the French Open, saying they feel “deeply disappointed” as talks with Grand Slam organizers continue.The clay court tournament at Roland Garros will begin later this month in Paris. While organizers announced a roughly 10% increase in total prize money to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), players said key issues remain unresolved. These include better representation as well as health and pension concerns.In a statement released Monday, the players pointed to a decline in their share of tournament revenue.“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has fallen from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026,” the group said.Under the current structure, singles winners earn €2.8 million, while runners-up receive €1.4 million. The semi-finalists will receive €750,000 and the first round losers will earn €87,000. The doubles winners will receive €600,000 and the mixed doubles champions will receive €122,000.Despite the increase in overall prize money, players said “the underlying numbers tell a very different story” and argued that their share is falling compared to the value they help create.“According to tournament officials, Roland Garros generated €395 million in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money grew by just 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%,” they said. “With revenue from this year’s tournament estimated at more than €400 million, prize money as a percentage of revenue is likely to still be below 15%, well below the 22% players have demanded to bring the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events.”The organizers of the French Open have not yet responded to the latest statement from the players.The same group previously wrote to the bosses of the four Grand Slam tournaments last year, asking for higher pay and greater involvement in “decisions that directly affect us”.The statement was released by a communications firm on behalf of the original signatories. It was later clarified that Novak Djokovic was not among those who signed this latest declaration.The players said they remain “united in their desire to see meaningful progress, both in terms of fair financial distribution and how the sport is governed.” They also said there had been no response to their proposals on social issues such as pensions and long-term health.They added that there had been no progress “in the fair and transparent representation of players in Grand Slam decision-making”.“While other major international sports are modernizing governance, connecting stakeholders and building long-term value, Grand Slams remain resistant to change,” they said. “The absence of consultation with players and the continued lack of investment in player care reflects a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the success of the sport.”
