French Open 2026: Players to cut pre-tournament media after 15 minutes as pay dispute escalates

The French Open takes place from May 24 to June 7.

Last year, prize money increased by 7% to £53.5 million, double the amount on offer a decade ago.

However, players view the revenues from Grand Slams jealously and feel entitled to a larger share.

AELTC’s financial statements for the year to July 2025 showed revenues of £427 million and profits after tax of £39.7 million.

Players have asked the Slams to pay 22% of their revenue in prize money by 2030.

They are also asking that hundreds of millions of dollars be paid for pensions, health care and maternity benefits and that they be consulted more widely on scheduling and other major decisions.

At this month’s Italian Open, world number one Aryna Sabalenka said she believed players would boycott one of the major sports “at some point”.

World number three Iga Swiatek felt it would be “a bit extreme”, but reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff said she would support strike action “if everyone has to pull together and cooperate”.

Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner also claimed that players are not getting the respect they deserve when it comes to prize money at major tournaments.

The French Open takes place from May 24 to June 7.

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