Players at the French Open are planning a media protest over their diminishing share of prize money, scheduled for the tournament's traditional media day. Currently, their cut of the prize money is around 14.3%, significantly lower than the 22% seen in other major ATP and WTA events. Notable players including Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have expressed frustration over this inequity and have threatened a boycott unless changes occur. While Roland Garros has increased overall prize money to €61.7 million, players argue their share has declined from 15.5% to projected 14.9% over the next few years. The French Tennis Federation has expressed regret over the players' actions and is open to discussions about future governance and player representation.

By the Numbers
  • Players' share of Roland Garros prize money declined from 15.5% in 2024 to a projected 14.3% in 2026.
  • Overall prize money for Roland Garros has increased by around 10%, totaling €61.7 million for the 2025 tournament.
State of Play
  • Players plan to limit media interactions to just 15 minutes during the pre-tournament media day.
  • The FFT proposed a meeting to discuss governance and players' earnings ahead of the tournament starting Sunday.
What's Next

Future negotiations between players and the FFT could potentially lead to increased compensation and better representation for athletes in the decision-making process of Grand Slam events. The outcome of Friday's proposed meeting may set the tone for player-organization relations going forward.

Bottom Line

The French Open's prize money structure faces pushback from players demanding fairer compensation. Addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining player satisfaction and support for the tournament moving forward.