On Thursday, the French Open conducted its annual pre-tournament press conference, where they announced changes and new additions to the event.
In attendance was tournament director and former women’s world No.1 Amelie Mauresmo, as well as Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Federation. A variety of topics were discussed, ranging from prize money to the scheduling of the doubles final.
Here are five key things to know about the 2026 tournament, which will take place between Sunday, 24th May and Sunday, June 7th.
Prize money
In recent months, there have been discussions between the Grand Slams and players over pay amid calls for the four tournaments to provide a greater share of their revenue to those taking part. These negotiations are still ongoing, but this year’s edition of the French Open has raised its prize money pool.
For 2026, the prize money pool will be 61.723 million euros, which is a year-on-year increase of 9.54%. Singles champions will each earn 2.8M euros (9.8% increase), but the biggest raise concerns the early rounds. Qualifying rounds will compensate players around 13% more than last year, and those who lose in the first round will receive 87,000 euros – an increase of 11.5%.
Furthermore, Men’s and women’s doubles winners will get 600,000 euros, and the mixed doubles champions earn 122,000 euros.
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
Wearable technology
For the first time, players will be allowed to wear technology to track their performance on the court. In a trial, which will also take place at Wimbledon and the US Open, players are permitted to use only products from the World Tennis‑approved “Player Analysis Tennis” register.
“The decision by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) to allow wearables at this year’s French Open is an important milestone,” one of the approved brands, Whoop, told Front Office Sports.
“Data is not steroids. Access to accurate, non-invasive insights does not undermine competition. It strengthens the sport and supports players.”
The change followed criticism from players during this year’s Australian Open after they were prevented from using wearable technology. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka told reporters she ‘didn’t understand the ban’ and hoped the tournament would change its policy in the future.
Privacy for players
Another hot topic at the Australian Open was player privacy after Coco Gauff was seen smashing her racket down a corridor. The American looked for somewhere discreet to express her anger after exiting the tournament, but was caught on camera in a video clip that went viral on social media. Following that, Gauff and others on the Tour voiced concerns about a lack of private areas.
Tournament director Mauresmo backs these concerns, stressing that players should have a private space and that the tournament “maintain respect for privacy.”
“Players need a private area, something which will not change,” she said. “No cam access (there).”
Player tributes
Last year, there was a star-studded tribute to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros and this year there will be three more. Gael Monfils, Stan Wawrinka and Caroline Garcia will each be recognised.
During the week before the main draw starts, Monfils will host a ‘Gael & Friends’ event with proceeds going to several charities. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and “current stars of the game” are all set to feature in the event, which takes place on May 21st. Monfils is retiring at the end of this year.
“It will be a rather special evening,” said Mauresmo. “Gaël has a history with Roland-Garros that is full of love and emotion, but he’s also a showman. We’ll be giving him free rein on 21 May at 7.30 pm: there’ll be tennis featuring top players, a show, and personalities from outside the tennis world who’ll be by his side. Of course, on the day or evening (laughs) of his final match, we’ll pay him a more traditional tribute, the kind we reserve for our champions.”
Meanwhile, former champion Wawrinka will have a special ceremony following the conclusion of his last match at the tournament. Garcia, who retired in 2025, will have her ceremony between the two women’s semi-final matches.
New slot for doubles, night schedule to be debated
One schedule change for finals week is that the men’s Doubles final on Saturday will take place before the women’s singles final at 11:00. Usually, it takes place after.
As for the night-time slot throughout the tournament, the French Open says it depends on who is playing. In the past, the event has been criticised for selecting more men’s matches for the prime-time slot than women’s.
“We will talk about scheduling when the time comes,” Mauresmo assured.
“Nothing is closed and nothing is set in stone, it depends on the draws and the lineups.”
