Leading tennis players have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the prize money distribution at the 2026 French Open 2026, arguing that the increase in total prize money does not reflect the event’s growing revenues.
Players raise concerns over fairness
Top stars such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have jointly written to organisers, expressing “deep disappointment” over the current structure. Their concern is not about the headline figures, but the proportion of revenue allocated to players.
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The total prize pool for 2026 stands at approximately 61.7 million, marking a notable increase. However, players believe this rise is modest when compared to the tournament’s commercial growth.
Revenue gap remains a key issue
At the centre of the dispute is the share of revenue. Roland Garros generates hundreds of millions of euros annually, yet the percentage distributed to players has declined in recent years. Players argue that while ATP and WTA events allocate roughly 20–22% of revenues to athletes, Grand Slams offer less than 15%, creating a clear imbalance.
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Even though winners receive multi-million euro payouts and early-round prize money has improved, the overall distribution is viewed as inequitable by the players.
Wider concerns in tennis governance
The letter also reflects broader concerns about how the sport is run. Players are seeking a greater voice in decision-making, better scheduling conditions, and stronger long-term financial support systems. These issues have been raised repeatedly, but players feel progress has been limited.
Tensions ahead of the tournament
As the tournament approaches, the disagreement highlights a growing divide between players and organisers. While officials defend their model by pointing to investments in infrastructure and the sport’s development, players insist that a fairer revenue share is overdue.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the issue is expected to remain a key talking point throughout the 2026 Roland Garros.
