Full Breakdown
Grand Slam Prize Money Dispute Escalates at French Open
5/24/2026, 12:00:11 PM
Players Limit Media to 15 Minutes at French Open
On the pre-tournament media day at Roland Garros, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and other top-10 players cut their collective interview time to 15 minutes, mirroring the roughly 15 % of revenue currently allocated to prize money.
Background & Data
Grand Slam organisers allocate about 15 % of total revenues to prize money, while the ATP and WTA tours distribute roughly 22 % to players. Players demand the Grand Slam share be raised to 22 %. Roland Garros prize money has doubled in ten years, with recent increases reaching qualifiers and early-round participants.
Key Stakeholders
The dispute involves players Sinner and Sabalenka, represented by Larry Scott, the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, the All England Club (Wimbledon), the United States Tennis Association (USTA), and Tennis Australia, which backs the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).
Timeline of Developments
Friday’s media limit was followed by a meeting with FFT officials and agents. The FFT expressed regret, pledged constructive dialogue, and promised detailed prize-money proposals within two weeks of the finals. Paris will host talks with the All England Club and USTA next week, and Wimbledon starts on 29 June.
Official Statements & Responses
The FFT said it regretted the players’ media decision and was ready for direct, constructive governance dialogue. Amélie Mauresmo defended the current model as distinct from ATP/WTA structures and noted recent prize-money growth. The All England Club proposed a player council at Wimbledon; Tennis Australia publicly supported the PTPA’s legal challenge to the other slams.
Criticism & Gaps
Players claim a 15 % share undervalues their contribution and harms welfare programs. Representatives say the 15-minute limit is not a tournament-long protest, yet sources hint at possible Wimbledon demonstrations. Exact Grand Slam revenue numbers and the precise increase needed for a 22 % share remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We have a model that is very different from what is on the Tours, be it the ATP Tours or the WTA,” — Amélie Mauresmo, Roland Garros tournament director
- “We put in place everything we can also in the interest of the players. We are also [improving] our infrastructure, we have prize money that has increased well, doubled in 10 years, and then also increased well in recent times, not only towards the top players, but also towards those who are more qualifiers and the first rounds of the table.” — Amélie Mauresmo
- “One said one day of direct action had achieved more than a year of discussions behind the scenes.” — Unnamed source close to the negotiations
- “ready to engage in direct and constructive dialogue on governance issues” — French Tennis Federation (FFT)
