French Open pay protest to include interview refusals

The world’s top tennis stars reportedly will voice their displeasure with the French Open prize pool by remaining silent.

Players selected to participate in tomorrow’s ?opening press conferences at Roland Garros in Paris will walk out after 15 minutes to protest the 15per cent average allocation of revenues toward the prize money at the Grand Slams, newspapers L’Equipe and The ?Guardian reported Wednesday.

Other players in the ATP and WTA draws will refuse to conduct additional interviews with the French Open’s primary media partners, TNT Sports and Eurosport, per the reports.

The French Open announced last month that the prize pool was increasing about 10 per cent this year to $72.1 million.

World No. 1 players Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner and ?others ?expressed their disappointment on May 4, arguing that the percentage of total revenue at Roland Garros had declined from 15.5 per cent in 2024 to 14.9 per cent in ?2026.

“With estimated revenues ?of over ?400 million euros for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of ?revenue will likely still be less than ?15 per cent, ?far short of the 22 per cent that players have requested to bring the Grand Slams into line with ?the ATP ?and WTA Combined 1000 events,” ?the players said.

Players are also seeking better representation, health options and pensions from the four Grand Slam events.- Reuters

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