Tennis stars are speaking out, and their rackets aren't the only things making noise. Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff have joined forces with 18 other top players—including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Alcaraz—to express their frustration over the French Open's revenue sharing model. In a joint statement released Sunday, the players called out the tournament for what they see as a shrinking slice of the pie, even as the event's revenues hit record highs.

The 2026 French Open, set for May 24 to June 7 in Paris, will see prize money jump by 9.5% to approximately $72 million. That's a $6 million increase from last year and roughly 45% more than in 2019. The French Tennis Federation highlighted that early-round and qualifying players will see raises of over 11%, emphasizing their commitment to supporting those who depend most on prize money to fund their seasons.

But for the players, the numbers tell a different story. They point out that their share of the tournament's revenue is projected to drop from 15.5% to 14.9% in 2026. "As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create," the statement read. The group also criticized the lack of progress on player welfare and the absence of a formal mechanism for player input in Grand Slam decision-making.

The statement draws a sharp contrast with other major sports, which the players say are "modernizing governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value." Meanwhile, the Grand Slams, in their view, "remain resistant to change." As the clay-court season heats up, this dispute adds a layer of tension to what should be a celebration of tennis at its finest—and a reminder that even the sport's brightest stars are fighting for more than just titles.