Sabalenka Says Players Could Boycott Roland Garros Over Prize Money Dispute

^{Pictured: Aryna Sabalenka}

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has said players could boycott Roland Garros unless their share of the tournament’s revenue is increased, Reuters reported.

The tournament’s prize fund has risen by 9.5% in 2026 to 61.7 million euros. The dispute, however, centres not on the overall prize fund but on the share of tournament revenue allocated to players.

Earlier, a group of leading tennis players, whom media reports identified as including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, said prize money at Roland Garros accounted for less than 15% of the tournament’s revenue.

In a joint statement, leading players said prize money at Roland Garros remained below the level they are seeking, with players pushing for 22% of tournament revenue, roughly in line with combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events.

Sabalenka said a boycott could become the only way to press for changes.

“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,” the Belarusian player said.

She added, however, that she hoped ongoing negotiations would lead to a solution acceptable to both players and organisers.

Coco Gauff, the world No. 4, also backed the idea of collective action. She said she could “100% see” players boycotting a Grand Slam if they made the decision together. Gauff said the issue went beyond top players, noting that those ranked outside the top 50 or top 100 have fewer sponsorship opportunities and depend more heavily on prize money.

Reuters noted that Roland Garros still trails the other Grand Slam tournaments in prize money even after the increase. The US Open offered $90 million in 2025, Wimbledon had a prize fund of £53.5 million, and the Australian Open set a record prize fund of A$111.5 million in 2026.

Gambling Park notes that Roland Garros will be held in Paris from May 18 to June 7, 2026, with the main draw beginning on May 24.