In less than a month, the world’s best players will take to the courts at Roland Garros to play in the sport’s most prestigious clay event. But not everybody is happy.
The French Open is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, meaning it issues more ranking points and prize money than Tour-level events. However, in recent times, these events have faced mounting pressure from players to change how they calculate their prize pools. Even though prize money is increasing each year, many of those receiving it believe they are still not getting a fair share.
Here is everything you need to know about the Grand Slam pay dispute.
What is the prize money on offer?
This year, the French Open will hand out a record prize money pool of 61.723 million euros, a year-on-year increase of 9.54%. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will each be awarded 2.8M euros (9.8% increase). There has also been a significant increase in compensation for the early rounds of the tournament. Those who lose in the first round receive €87,000 (11.5% increase) and players will earn €130,000 by reaching the second round.
Prize money breakdown (singles only)
QUALIFYING
- Q1 : €24,000
- Q2 : €33,000
- Q3 : €48,000
MAIN DRAW
- R1 : €87,000
- R2 : €130,000
- R3 : €187,000
- R16 : €285,000
- QF : €470,000
- SF : €750,000
- F : €1,400,000
- W: €2,800,00
Norway’s Casper Ruud recently said the taxes players have to pay in France over their prize money earnings are just under 50%.
Why are players unhappy?
The problem isn’t with the year-on-year increase in compensation being issued by the French Open and other Grand Slams. It is the proportion of revenue generated by these events that is being paid to them.
Players argue they should receive a higher share of the revenue due to the fact that they are the main driving force. The group of players calling for these changes, which includes many high-profile names, estimate that the prize money pool will be roughly 15% of the revenue for the 2026 French Open. This group, which includes the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff, highlights that combined tournaments on the Tour issue players with 22% of its revenue. This is still significantly low when compared to some other sports. Each Grand Slam has its own governing body and is not obliged to do the same as the ATP and WTA Tours.
This group is being led by former WTA chairman Larry Scott in negotiations.
The players are not only campaigning for a better prize money share. They are also calling for a greater contribution towards their pension schemes, more player representation in the decision-making process and better healthcare.
What did the latest statement say?
The French Open statement from players has been published by various sources, including Tennis majors and The Athletic. They claim that this year Roland Garros will be giving players a smaller share of its revenue compared to 2024 (15.5% to an estimated 14.9%). Their request is 22%.
“As Roland-Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create.” 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.”
“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.”
This statement carried significant weight because of its list of signatories. From the WTA Tour, they are Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva.
From the men’s tour is Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex De Minaur.
It is understood that this list represents a consensus of players, and some of the names not included (Novak Djokovic, Jack Draper etc) may also be in favor of this stance.
What have players said outside of the statement?
Specifically related to the statement issued to the French Open, there have been few words. However, this is expected to change this week when players conduct their press duties during media day at the Italian Open in Rome.
Speaking about Grand Slams collectively, many have called for a bigger share of revenue to be given to players.
“The percentage is still, of revenue comparison, not where we would like it,” Gauff told reporters in January this year.
“I think there’s still further conversations that have to be had, not just with the Australian Open but with all the slams. We have player representatives that have been working really hard to do that a lot for us because we can’t do it, be in person, as often.
“The collective feeling is that, yes, there’s been progress, but I still think it’s not where we would like to see it. We are grateful for the progress that has been made.”
During the same time, Sabalenka commented that they ‘can always do better’ on the issue.
“I think all of the slams are trying to work together with us and come to a conclusion,” she said.
“I hope one day we’ll get to a happy place for everyone.”
Last September, Alcaraz described the ongoing situation as a ‘mess’ and said players deserve a better deal.
“We are all tennis players and we are fighting to have something better for us,” he said.
“I think right now, it’s a little bit a mess between everything, between the ATP (men’s tour), between the Grand Slams.
“What we want, all the players, is to have everything together.”
What has the French Open said?
In a lengthy statement sent to The Athletic, the French Tennis Federation has rigorously defended their prize money offerings and stated they use their revenue to reinvest into the sport to help it develop. Although they didn’t address the most crucial part of the argument, if the proportion of their revenue given to players will be adjusted in the future to meet their demands.
“The French Tennis Federation has made the choice to focus some of these increases on players who exit the tournament in the early rounds of the main draw and the qualifying stages, with rises exceeding 11%, as to better support players who rely most on prize money to fund their season.
“Beyond prize money, the Roland-Garros model is based on a specific economic framework. The FFT is a non-profit organization. All revenues generated by the tournament are reinvested into the Roland-Garros tournament, as well as the development of tennis in France and internationally.
“This includes direct support for the development of the sport at grassroot level, training and pathway programs, strong commitment to women’s tennis, inclusive tennis and wheelchair tennis, as well as significant contributions to international tennis development through the ITF.
“The FFT has also recently invested more than €400 million in the Roland-Garros infrastructure, notably to significantly enhance player conditions and on-site services.
“Finally, the FFT remains fully committed to ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders in global tennis, including speaking directly with individual players. It will continue working to improve overall player conditions, in line with its responsibilities and its model.”
What next?
It is understood that some form of meeting will be held in Paris later this month to discuss the player demands. But it is unclear who will be there or what Grand Slam representation will be there, if any.
There is no indication of any dramatic action being taken, such as boycotting. So there are more negotiations ahead for players.
All eyes will be on Wimbledon to see if they are prepared to raise their player compensation towards the requested 22% share of their revenue. Wimbledon’s revenue in 2025 was estimated to be in the region of $500M, according to sports business website Sportico.
