A group of the world's top 20 male and female tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, have released a joint statement expressing their disappointment with the prize money on offer at the French Open later this month. The players have been in dispute with all four grand slams for over a year, arguing they receive an insufficient share of increasing tournament revenues while also calling for enhanced welfare, pension provisions, and a greater say in determining the schedule.
Prize Money Increase Deemed Insufficient
The French Open last month announced a 9.5% increase in total prize money at Roland Garros to €61.7 million (£52.6 million), with the men's and women's winners each receiving €2.8 million. However, the players remain unhappy, noting that this increase is significantly less than the 20% rise at last year's US Open. They claim that as a percentage of revenues, the prize fund is actually being reduced.
Revenue vs. Prize Money Disparity
In their statement, the players highlighted that Roland Garros generated €395 million in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by only 5.4%, reducing the players' share of revenue to 14.3%. With estimated revenues exceeding €400 million for this year's tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15%, far short of the 22% that players have requested to bring grand slams in line with ATP and WTA tours. They emphasized that as Roland Garros posts record revenues, players are receiving a declining share of the value they help create.
Structural Issues Remain Unaddressed
The players also criticized the lack of engagement on player welfare and the absence of progress toward establishing a formal mechanism for player consultation within grand-slam decision-making. They stated, "The grand slams remain resistant to change. The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport's success."
Further Criticism Expected
Having issued the collective statement, several players, including Americans Ben Shelton and Jessica Pegula, are expected to make further criticisms of the grand slams at the Italian Open, which starts in Rome this week.
