Players would boycott French Open over prize money dispute, says Aryna Sabalenka

ROME – Players would boycott the French Open if their prize money at the clay-court Grand Slam is not increased, women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said on May 5, with Coco Gauff also voicing support for the drastic step.

The threat deepens a dispute between players and the Roland Garros organisers over prize money distribution, even though the 2026 tournament offers a 9.5 per cent increase to €61.7 million (S$92 million).

Several top players released a statement on May 4 saying they were set to receive prize money that would likely still be less than 15 per cent of tournament revenue, well short of the 22 per cent they demanded to match ATP and WTA combined 1000 events.

When asked how far players might push their demands, Sabalenka said at the Italian Open: “I feel like the show is on us. Without us, there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment.

“We girls can easily get together and go for this, because some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players. I think at some point we will boycott it (the tournament), yeah. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.

“Let’s see how far we can get, if it’s going to take players for boycott. When you see the number and you see the amount the players are receiving... I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage.”

However, the Belarusian also struck a hopeful note about ongoing negotiations.

“I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with,” she added.

The prize money boost of €5.4 million compared to 2025 still leaves Roland Garros trailing its Grand Slam rivals.

The US Open offered US$90 million (S$115 million) in 2025, while Wimbledon paid out £53.5 million (S$92 million) and the 2026 Australian Open a record A$111.5 million (S$102 million).

World No. 4 Gauff said she could “100 per cent see” players boycotting a Grand Slam if they took the decision together as one.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the future of our sport and also the current players who aren’t getting as much benefits, maybe, as even some of the top players are getting when it comes to sponsorship and things like that,” the American said.

“We’re making money off court. When you look at the (players ranked) 50 to 100, 50 to 200, how much money each Slam makes, it’s kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living pay cheque to pay cheque.”

Gauff also suggested that the players must form a union, highlighting how the WNBA basketball players’ union reached a tentative agreement on a collective bargaining deal earlier in 2026, after nearly 17 months of negotiations.

“Just taking what the WNBA accomplished. They also have a union, so I think that helps,” she added.

However, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open singles champion, believes that boycotting tournaments “is a bit extreme”.

“I think the most important thing honestly is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies, so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate,” said the world No. 3, who has also won Wimbledon and the US Open.

“Hopefully, before Roland Garros there’s going to be an opportunity to have these type of meetings and we’ll see how they go.” REUTERS, AFP