Top tennis stars are making waves both on and off the court, with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka leading a powerful charge for fairer prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. In a bold statement that has sent ripples through the tennis world, Sabalenka has suggested that players might have to consider boycotting major events if their financial demands aren't met.
"Without us, there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment," Sabalenka declared during a press conference at the Italian Open. "I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights."
The Belarusian powerhouse didn't mince words, emphasizing that the time for unity among players has arrived. "I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because of some of the things I feel like it's really unfair to the players. I think at some point it's going to get to this," she added.
Sabalenka's concerns come on the heels of a formal letter sent by top ATP and WTA players expressing "deep disappointment" over the French Open's prize money distribution. While the tournament has increased its prize pool to $72.3 million for 2026—a $6.5 million bump from the previous year—players argue it still falls short. That increase represents roughly 15% of projected tournament revenue, down from the 15.5% share players earned in 2024 and a far cry from the 22% they're targeting by 2030.
The call for change has found powerful allies. Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and one of the sport's brightest young stars, threw her full support behind the idea of a boycott. Speaking at the Italian Open, Gauff said she could "100% see" such a move happening if players "collectively agree on it."
"It's not about me. It's about the future of our sport and the current players who aren't getting as much benefits as even some of the top players are getting," Gauff explained, shining a light on the financial struggles faced by lower-ranked competitors. "When you look at the 50 to 100, 50 to 200 [top ranked players], how much money each Slam makes, it's kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living paycheck to paycheck, whereas other sports it's not even a discussion."
Elena Rybakina, the defending French Open champion, has also voiced her support, adding to the growing momentum behind the players' cause. With three Grand Slam champions now openly discussing a potential boycott, the message to tournament organizers is clear: the stars of the game are ready to stand together for what they believe is right. For fans and players alike, this could mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for fair compensation in professional tennis.