World number one Aryna Sabalenka has warned that top tennis players could consider a boycott of Grand Slam tournaments following dissatisfaction over recent prize money increases, particularly at Roland Garros.
Trigger: modest increase at Roland Garros
The controversy began after organisers of Roland Garros announced a 9.5% increase in total prize money for 2026, a rise viewed by top players as insufficient compared to growing tournament revenues.
Rising tension over revenue sharing
Players argue that their share of tournament revenue remains too low. While Grand Slam prize money has increased significantly since 2022, athletes believe the distribution still does not reflect the financial scale of modern tennis events.
Key concerns include:
- Player share of total revenue seen as too low (estimated around 15.6% at Roland Garros)
- Demand from players for closer to 22% revenue share
- Gap between earnings at top level and lower-ranked players
Growing frustration among top players
Sabalenka’s comments come after months of tension between leading players and Grand Slam organizers. Earlier in 2025, top 20 men’s and women’s players reportedly sent a joint letter requesting fairer revenue distribution.
Other star names mentioned in the broader debate include Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz, whose participation is crucial for tournament value and global audience interest.
Why prize money is central to the dispute
Although top players like Sabalenka earn millions annually (including sponsorship deals), many argue the issue is not only financial but also about fair recognition of value.
At the same time, lower-ranked players rely heavily on Grand Slam earnings to cover:
- Travel and coaching costs
- Season-long expenses
- Tournament qualification stability
What happens next
With increases already larger at events like the US Open and Australian Open, attention now turns to how organizers of Roland Garros and Wimbledon will respond to player pressure.
A potential boycott would represent one of the most serious disputes in modern tennis, given the commercial importance of the four Grand Slams to the sport’s global ecosystem.