Sabalenka calls for ‘boycott’ before French Open as row takes turn | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka has called for tennis stars to organise a boycott unless they start receiving a bigger share of tournament prize money. The women’s world No 1 was among those represented by a joint-statement expressing “deep dissapointment” at the French Open prize money with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also included.

On Sky Sports Tennis, she has added: “Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like we deserve to be paid more. I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”

This anger has come despite it being revealed that the French Open organisers had increased the overall prize money by roughly 10 per cent, which has seen it rise to £53.5m and up £4.6m from last year. The singles champions will be awarded £2.4million (€2.8million) which is up roughly £200,000 from what Alcaraz and Coco Gauff got last year.

However, part of their statement claimed that “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” with players to actually get a much smaller amount. Players are also looking for better representation, health options and pensions from all of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments.

Such a request was made to the decision-makers of those major events in March 2025 alongside wanting a bigger say in decisions that impact them. The latest statement and further comments from Sabalenka suggest that not a lot has really changed in the last 14 months.

The full statement, that was released on behalf of Sabalenka, Sinner, Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and several others, read: “As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create.

“More critically, the announcement does nothing to address the structural issues that players have consistently and reasonably raised over the past year. There has been no engagement on player welfare and no progress towards establishing a formal mechanism for player consultation within Grand Slam decision-making.

“While other major international sports are modernising governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change. The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”