Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are among tennis stars who have expressed their “deep disappointment” over prize money at the French Open amid a lingering dispute with grand slam tournament organisers. The disgruntled group of players have also said they have other demands that have not been addressed by officials, including better representation, health and pensions.
Their call came after French Open organisers announced last month that Roland Garros’s prize money had increased by some 10 per cent for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($A100 million), with the total amount up 5.3 million euros from last year.
“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5 per cent in 2024 to 14.9 per cent projected in 2026,” the group of players responded in a statement on Monday. The clay court major begins on May 24.
Men’s and women’s singles champions each receive 2.8 million euros ($A4.5m) and the runners-up 1.4 million euros ($A2.25m). Semi-finalists earn 750,000 euros ($A1.2m) and first-round losers earn 87,000 euros ($A141,000).
However, the players’ statement said “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” claiming that players receive a declining share of the value they contribute to generate revenue. “According to tournament officials, Roland Garros generated 395 million euros in revenue in 2025, a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4 per cent, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3 per cent,” they said.
“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 per cent, far short of the 22 per cent that players have requested to bring the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events.”
French Open organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
