Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Top Players Threaten Boycott Unless French Open Raises Share

5/6/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sabalenka, Sinner Boycott

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 1 Jannik Sinner warned they may boycott Grand Slams unless the French Open raises players’ revenue share.
The statement said players’ share dropped from 15.5 % in 2024 to 14.9 % in 2026 and demanded a 22 % share of the 400-million-euro revenue.
Coco Gauff pointed to the WNBA bargaining agreement as a model and noted the Australian Open and US Open raised prize money by 16 % and 20 %.

Summary

Players Demand Council

Players demand a Grand Slam council with decision power and $12 million annually for pensions, health and maternity benefits.
The French Tennis Federation says it is a non-profit, invests in grassroots and is open to dialogue.
Roland Garros raised qualifier prize money 12.9 % and first-round singles payouts about 11 % to help lower-ranked players.

Summary

Sabalenka Flags Finances

After Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff in the March 28 2026 Miami Open final, both warned that financial strain threatens tennis’s future.
Coco Gauff said players ranked 50-200 live paycheck to paycheck and receive far fewer sponsorship deals than top stars, widening the income gap.
Aryna Sabalenka added the tournament is on the players and that without them there would be no show, stressing their entertainment value.

Summary

FTF Funds Upgrades

The coalition named 20 players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic, but Djokovic, who backed the 2025 letter, did not sign the 2026 statement, ESPN reported.
The French Tennis Federation announced a €400 million investment in Roland-Garros facilities to improve player conditions and on-site services.
Prize-money increases this year set the 2026 French Open champion’s purse at €2,800,000 and first-round losers’ pay at €87,000.

History

Historical Context

In 1970, Billie Jean King protested a prize gap of $12,500 for men versus $1,500 for women, helping launch the Original 9 and the Virginia Slims tour. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973, the same year she beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” for a $100,000 purse before 30,492 fans and an estimated 50 million TV viewers, cementing the push for equal prize money.

1 of 5

Sabalenka, Sinner Boycott

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 1 Jannik Sinner warned they may boycott Grand Slams unless the French Open raises players’ revenue share.
The statement said players’ share dropped from 15.5 % in 2024 to 14.9 % in 2026 and demanded a 22 % share of the 400-million-euro revenue.
Coco Gauff pointed to the WNBA bargaining agreement as a model and noted the Australian Open and US Open raised prize money by 16 % and 20 %.

1 / 5