Roland Garros Prize Money Under Fire from Top Tennis Stars

Tennis Players Seek Increased Prize Money at Roland Garros

A group of top tennis players, including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, have expressed disappointment with the prize money offered at the upcoming Roland Garros tournament. The event is scheduled to take place in Paris on May 24.

The players have made several demands, which include better representation, healthcare, and pensions. They claim that their share of the tournament revenue has declined from 15.5 percent in 2024 to 14.9 percent projected in 2026.

According to the French Open organizers, the total prize money for this year’s tournament is approximately 61.7 million euros ($72.1m), with an increase of about 10 percent compared to last year. The players’ share of the revenue has been reduced from 15.5 percent to 14.3 percent.

The group of players stated that they have not received a response to their proposals on welfare, including pensions and long-term healthcare. They also claim that there has been no progress made on fair and transparent player representation within Grand Slam decision-making.

The players’ statement noted that the underlying figures suggest that players receive a declining share of the value they contribute to the tournament. The organizers reported that Roland Garros generated 395m euros ($462m) in revenue in 2025, with prize money rising by just 5.4 percent.

The group of players has previously signed a letter to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments, seeking more prize money and a greater say in decision-making processes. They have requested that prize money be increased to bring the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events.

The players remain united in their desire for meaningful progress on fair financial distribution and governance.

Source: Al Jazeera