Story perspectives

Svitolina Wins Rome; Swiatek Preps for French Open

5/22/2026

Summary

Svitolina Wins Rome

Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) won Rome's WTA 1000 title against Iga Swiatek (Poland) and Coco Gauff (USA).
Iga Swiatek (Poland) entered the French Open after hiring coach Francisco Roig and shedding pressure.
Coco Gauff (USA), world No. 4, reached Roland Garros after her Rome final loss to Svitolina.
Jessica Pegula (USA) arrived with a 28-6 record, defending her Charleston title.
Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) won a WTA 250 in Rouen and a WTA 1000 in Madrid 2026.

Summary

Sabalenka, Gauff Boycott

The French Tennis Federation said the media-day protest harms media, broadcasters and staff.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No 4 Coco Gauff joined top players in threatening a Grand Slam boycott over pay and will limit interviews to 15 minutes on Friday.
The FFT announced a 10 percent prize-money rise to €61.7 million, an increase of €5.3 million, and will meet player representatives on Friday to discuss governance and pension schemes at four Grand Slams.

History

Historical Context

May 1973 saw the ILTF uphold a one-month ban on Nikola Pilic, prompting the ATP—where Arthur Ashe served on the board—to pull 81 players, including 13 of the 16 seeds, from Wimbledon. That boycott forced governance reforms and showed players could challenge organizers. Today, Sabalenka and Gauff echo that legacy, threatening a French Open boycott over a proposed 10 % prize-money rise.

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Svitolina Wins Rome

Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) won Rome's WTA 1000 title against Iga Swiatek (Poland) and Coco Gauff (USA).
Iga Swiatek (Poland) entered the French Open after hiring coach Francisco Roig and shedding pressure.
Coco Gauff (USA), world No. 4, reached Roland Garros after her Rome final loss to Svitolina.
Jessica Pegula (USA) arrived with a 28-6 record, defending her Charleston title.
Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) won a WTA 250 in Rouen and a WTA 1000 in Madrid 2026.

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