Tennis stars are stepping up their fight for fair compensation, with world No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka leading a fresh charge against the French Open's 2026 prize money structure. In a strongly worded letter sent to Roland Garros on Monday, players expressed "deep disappointment" over the tournament's latest financial offer, signaling that the battle between athletes and Grand Slam organizers is far from over.
The tension has been building for months. Last year, nearly every top player signed two separate letters to all four Grand Slam tournaments, demanding not just higher prize money but also better retirement and maternity benefits through a dedicated welfare fund. Their ultimate ask? A 22% share of tournament revenue—a figure that would align the majors with the combined 1000-level events run by the ATP and WTA tours.
When Roland Garros announced a 9.5% prize money increase on April 16, players quickly made it clear that wasn't enough. According to their statement, the French Open generated a staggering €395 million ($463 million) in revenue last year—a 14% jump—yet the total prize purse rose by only 5.4%, shrinking the player revenue share to just 14.3%. With this year's revenues projected to exceed €400 million, players estimate their cut will remain stuck below 15%.
But money isn't the only issue. The letter also calls out Roland Garros for ignoring broader concerns. "The announcement does nothing to address the structural issues that players have consistently and reasonably raised over the past year," the statement reads. "There has been no engagement on player welfare and no progress towards establishing a formal mechanism for player consultation within Grand Slam decision making."
The player coalition remains formidable. While names weren't officially released, copies of last year's first letter showed 10 of the top 11 ranked women had signed. On the men's side, Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz were among those who put pen to paper—though Djokovic reportedly skipped the second letter last summer and has not signed the latest one either, according to a spokesperson.
As the clay court season heats up, this showdown between players and Grand Slam powerhouses is becoming as compelling as the on-court action. For fans watching from the stands or shopping for the latest gear, it's a reminder that even at the sport's highest level, the fight for fairness never rests.