Italian Open Aligns with Players Over Grand Slam Prize-Money Dispute

During the 2024 Italian Open, the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation announced public support for top-ranked players who are demanding higher prize-money shares from the four Grand Slam tournaments. The federation’s president, Angelo Binaghi, framed the issue as a “monopoly” that creates competitive disparities and indicated that a player boycott could become the only effective leverage.

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Players have targeted the French Open after it reportedly reduced the players’ share of tournament revenue to 14.3 %, compared with the 22 % share typical at ATP and WTA events such as the Italian Open. In a joint statement, several top-10 players expressed “deep disappointment” with the French Open’s compensation model and warned of a possible boycott if the structure remains unchanged.

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• Aryna Sabalenka – Four-time Grand Slam champion, vocal about the need for higher percentages.

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• Coco Gauff – Ranked in the top 10, co-signatory of the boycott threat.

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• Jannik Sinner – World No. 2, also part of the statement.

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• Angelo Binaghi – President of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, leading the federation’s support and the campaign to elevate the Italian Open to a fifth Grand Slam.

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• Total men’s prize pool: US $9.6 million.

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• Total women’s prize pool: US $8.3 million.

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• Women’s champion prize: €1.055 million (?US $1.24 million).

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• Men’s champion prize: €1.007 million.

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• Italian Open ticket-sale goal: 400,000 spectators, versus the French Open’s 700,000-plus attendance last year.

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• Planned stadium expansion: capacity increase from 10,500 to 12,400 seats, with a retractable roof slated for the 2028 edition.

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Binaghi affirmed the federation’s full backing of the players and described the Grand Slam revenue model as “scandalous” and “shameful.” He also reiterated his ambition to transform the Italian Open into a fifth Grand Slam, noting openness to hosting the event on any surface in Italy. Players’ statements highlighted disappointment with the French Open’s prize-money share and signaled that a boycott may be the only viable recourse. The French Open organizers have not provided a comment to date.

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Critics point to the disparity between the Grand Slam revenue split and the higher cuts allocated at ATP/WTA events. The Italian Open itself faces scrutiny for maintaining a lower overall women’s prize pool than the men’s, despite the women’s champion receiving a slightly higher top prize. Additionally, ATP and WTA regulations prevented the inclusion of a mixed-doubles draw at the Italian Open this year.

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• The 14.3 % figure for the French Open’s player share is reported by players but lacks official verification.

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• No response from French Open officials leaves the exact revenue-share structure unconfirmed.

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• While the women’s champion prize exceeds the men’s champion prize, the total women’s prize pool remains lower, creating a nuanced disparity not fully explained in the sources.

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• “The players have our full support,” — Angelo Binaghi, President, Italian Tennis and Padel Federation

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• “It's scandalous that we're required by the ATP to share a bigger cut of the revenues with the players and the four Grand Slams hand out a smaller cut.” — Angelo Binaghi

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• “I want to blow apart this monopoly.” — Angelo Binaghi

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• “I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights.” — Aryna Sabalenka, World No. 1

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• “We're open to organizing a [fifth Grand Slam] anywhere in Italy, on any surface,” — Angelo Binaghi

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If Grand Slam organizers do not adjust prize-money allocations, the threatened boycott could materialize, potentially affecting player participation at the French Open and subsequent majors. Concurrently, the Italian Open is advancing plans for a larger, roof-covered stadium and continues to promote its bid for fifth-Grand-Slam status, positioning the tournament as a possible catalyst for broader structural changes in professional tennis.

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