A group of elite tennis players, including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, has expressed deep disappointment over prize money at the French Open, as discussions with Grand Slam organizers continue. The clay-court tournament at Roland Garros in Paris is scheduled to begin later this month.
Prize Money Increase but Player Share Declines
Organizers announced a roughly 10% increase in total prize money to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million). However, players argue that key issues such as better representation, health concerns, and pensions remain unresolved. In a statement released on Monday, they highlighted a drop in their share of tournament revenue.
“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026,” the group said. Under the current structure, singles winners will earn 2.8 million euros, runners-up 1.4 million euros, semifinalists 750,000 euros, and first-round losers 87,000 euros. Doubles winners will receive 600,000 euros, and mixed doubles champions 122,000 euros.
Revenue Growth vs. Prize Money Stagnation
Despite the overall prize money increase, players stated that “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” arguing that their share is declining relative to the value they generate. According to tournament officials, Roland Garros generated 395 million euros in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by only 5.4%, reducing players’ share to 14.3%.
“With estimated revenues of over 400 million euros 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 the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events,” they added.
Lack of Response and Governance Concerns
French Open organizers have not yet responded to the players’ latest statement. The same group had previously written to the heads of all four Grand Slam tournaments last year, demanding higher prize money and greater involvement in decisions affecting them.
The statement was issued by a communications firm on behalf of the original signatories. It later clarified that Novak Djokovic was not among those who signed this latest statement. The players said they remain “united in their desire to see meaningful progress, both in terms of fair financial distribution and in how the sport is governed.”
Welfare Issues and Player Representation
They also noted no response to their proposals on welfare issues such as pensions and long-term health, and no progress on “fair and transparent player representation within Grand Slam decision-making.”
“While other major international sports are modernizing governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change,” the players said. “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.”
