Top tennis players threaten Grand Slam boycott over revenue share

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka called for players to boycott Grand Slam tournaments unless they receive a larger share of revenues.

Sabalenka, the world No. 1 women's player, and men's No. 1 Jannik Sinner joined other top-ranked players in a statement criticizing French Open prize money. "Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage," Sabalenka said Tuesday at the Italian Open.

"I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights."

The players demand better representation, health options and pensions from the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

French Open prize money rose 10% this year to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), up 5.3 million euros from 2024. Players say their share of Roland Garros revenue dropped from 15.5% in 2024 to a projected 14.9% in 2026.

Their statement noted 395 million euros in 2025 revenue, a 14% increase, while prize money grew 5.4%, cutting players' share to 14.3%.

"With estimated revenues of over 400 million euros for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15%, far short of the 22% that players have requested to bring the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events," the players said.

The Australian Open raised player pay 16% this year, and U.S. Open prize money increased 20% last year.

Defending French Open champion Coco Gauff pointed to the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. "From the things I’ve seen with other sports, usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union," Gauff said. "We have to become unionized in some way."

"We definitely can move more as a collective."

Gauff said she has not heard walkout talks but could see one if players unite. "I definitely think there’s a consensus around that this needs to be addressed for all players of all levels, especially the lower-ranked players, too," she added. "I want to leave the sport better than I found it. If I can say I played my part when I retire, that’s something I can be proud of."

Jasmine Paolini, who reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals in 2024, said WTA and ATP tours offer more benefits like maternity leave and retirement plans than Grand Slams.

"There’s a lot of things that the Slams are not doing," Paolini said, "that the WTA and I think the ATP are doing."

She said a boycott remains an option. "If we’re all in agreement and I think we are — the men and the women are united right now — it’s something we could do."

The French Open begins May 24. Singles champions get 2.8 million euros each, runners-up 1.4 million euros, semifinalists 750,000 euros and first-round losers 87,000 euros.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.