In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, top-ranked women's star Aryna Sabalenka has floated the idea of boycotting grand slam tournaments unless players receive a fairer share of the revenue. Speaking at the Italian Open on her 28th birthday, Sabalenka didn't mince words: "Without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage." She added, "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."
Her comments come on the heels of a joint statement from leading players, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, expressing "deep disappointment" over prize money at the French Open. While organizers announced a 10 percent increase in overall prize money last month—bringing the total to €61.7 million (£53.3 million)—the players argue that "the underlying figures tell a very different story." They claim their share of tournament revenues is actually set to drop, with Roland Garros's player revenue share projected to fall from 15.5 percent in 2024 to just 14.9 percent by 2026.
Beyond prize money, players are pushing for broader changes, including better representation in decision-making, improved health provisions, and enhanced pensions across all four grand slams: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. It's a growing movement that reflects a shift in player empowerment, reminiscent of past battles for fair compensation in other sports.
Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek offered a more measured take, emphasizing the need for dialogue. "The most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate," she said. While she hopes for pre-tournament meetings, she acknowledged that "boycotting the tournament, it's a bit extreme kind of situation."
French Open organizers have yet to respond to the players' statement, but the clock is ticking. The main draw kicks off on May 24, with the final set for June 7. As the tennis community watches closely, one thing is clear: the debate over fair pay is far from over, and players are ready to serve up a powerful message.