As the second Grand Slam of 2026 approaches, a familiar tension is brewing on the clay courts of Roland Garros. The French Open, set to begin May 24, has announced a 9.5% increase in prize money from 2025, bringing the total pool to €61.7 million ($72.3 million). While that sounds like a significant bump, the sport's top players are far from satisfied.

A coalition of top-10 ATP and WTA stars—who have been pushing the four majors for greater financial transparency—has voiced "collective disappointment" over the increase. Their concern? The prize money represents only about 15% of the tournament's projected revenue, according to their estimates. That's a far cry from what players believe they deserve.

For context, joint ATP and WTA Tour events typically award 22% of revenue to players. And in major U.S. team sports, the gap is even wider: NFL, NBA, and MLB athletes receive nearly 50% of league revenues. Even the WNBA, after a grueling 17-month negotiation, secured nearly 20% of revenue for its players. Against that backdrop, the French Open's offer feels like a drop in the red clay.

"As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create," read a statement from the player group, attributed to the 20 signatories of an initial letter sent to the four majors in March 2025. Among those names are some of the biggest in the game: Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff.

The statement didn't mince words: "While other major international sports are modernising governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change. The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport's success."

The French Tennis Federation has not yet responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the French Open's increase follows a broader trend: the Australian Open raised its prize money by 16% in January to $75 million, the U.S. Open jumped 21% to a record $85 million, and Wimbledon offered $72.6 million in 2025, up 7% from the previous year. But for the players, the percentage of revenue—not the raw numbers—remains the true measure of fairness.