Top-ranked player Aryna Sabalenka has called for a potential boycott among tennis players if they are not given a fair share of tournament revenues at Grand Slam events. Joining her in this stance are players like Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, expressed her disappointment along with other top-ranked players, including Jannik Sinner, regarding the prize money distribution at the French Open. She emphasized the essential role players play in the tournament and the entertainment they provide, stating that they deserve a higher percentage of the revenue.
The players are advocating for improvements in representation, health benefits, and pensions from the four major Grand Slam tournaments. Despite the French Open increasing overall prize money by about 10 percent, the players argue that their share of the revenue has decreased over the years.
Gauff, the defending French Open champion, highlighted the benefits of unity and referenced the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement as a model for progress. She stressed the importance of players coming together as a union to advocate for their rights and drive positive change in the sport.
Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, expressed willingness to support a boycott if the majority of players decide to take that stance. She emphasized the financial challenges faced by players, including significant taxes on prize money.
Paolini, who reached the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, also supported the idea of a boycott, emphasizing the unity between male and female players. She praised the WTA and ATP Tours for providing better benefits compared to the Grand Slam tournaments.
While some players like Iga Swiatek believe in engaging in dialogue with governing bodies to negotiate better terms, others are not ruling out the possibility of a boycott if necessary. The players’ statement highlighted discrepancies in revenue share at the French Open and called for fairer compensation in line with other major tennis events.
As the French Open approaches, players are continuing to push for better treatment and compensation, with the hope of bringing about positive changes within the sport.