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French Open rejects prize money change despite tennis stars’ boycott threat

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera

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French Open rejects prize money change despite tennis stars’ boycott threat

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No 4 Coco Gauff have led player complaints about reduced pay at French Open.

Save Share facebook x whatsapp-stroke copylink Women's singles holder at Roland Garros Coco Gauff has been among those to hit out at Grand Slam prize money [Thomas Padilla/Reuters] By The Associated Press Published On 21 May 2026 21 May 2026 The French Open prize money will not change this year despite players complaining they deserve a bigger share, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo says.

Top players have criticised the organisers for reducing the players’ share of revenue to an alleged 14.3 percent, compared with 22 percent at standard ATP and WTA events.

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Mauresmo, a former Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, said she remained open to dialogue and was confident of a solution. A meeting is expected on Friday between tournament organisers and the players and their representatives.

But asked whether there was a chance the prize money would change this year, Mauresmo said on Thursday: “No, we are not going to change anything. We are going to initiate discussions, and that is what everyone wants.” Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and fourth-ranked Coco Gauff were among leading players this month who supported a boycott of the Grand Slams if they don’t start receiving more compensation.

Roland Garros organisers increased the prize money by about 10 percent after the United States Open last year raised its pot by 20 percent and this year’s Australian Open by 16 percent.

The entire French Open pot was 61.7 million euros ($72m), up 5.3 million euros ($6.1m) from last year, but the players claimed their share of Roland Garros revenue declined from 15.5 percent in 2024 to 14.9 percent projected in 2026.

They said the event generated 395 million euros ($457.7m) in 2025, a 14 percent year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4 percent, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3 percent.

The singles champions at Roland Garros will each receive 2.8 million euros ($3.2m), an increase of 250,000 euros ($289,700) from 2025.

“I’m not going to tell you that everything will be resolved with the snap of a finger,” Mauresmo said. “But the discussions will continue, probably after the tournament.”

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