Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff have threatened to boycott the French Open over a $72 million prize money dispute, citing a lack of respect from tournament organizers. Other players, including Aryna Sabalenka, have voiced similar concerns.
Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff.
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty; Robert Prange/Getty
Tennis stars are feeling disrespected over the French Open prize pool.
Jannik Sinner didn't hold back when sharing his thoughts on how the Grand Slam plans to raise the prize package, telling reporters that he and his fellow top-ranked players are considering a boycott if the pay is not increased.
"It's more about respect, you know? Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It's not only for the top players, it's for all of us players," Sinner, 24, told reporters on Thursday, May 7, ahead of the Italian Open in Rome.
Jannik Sinner hits a return during the men's singles final between Jannick Sinner of Italy and Alexander Zverev of Germany at the 2026 Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 3, 2026. Credit: Meng Dingbo/Xinhua via Getty
They are dissatisfied with the French Open's prize money, feeling disrespected by the tournament organizers.
The dispute involves a total prize pool of $72 million.
Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Coco Gauff have also made statements regarding the money dispute.
The players have indicated that a boycott would occur due to a perceived lack of respect from the Grand Slam organizers.
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"Of course, we talk about money. The most important is respect, and we just don't feel it," he said.
The boycott threat deepens a dispute between athletes and Roland-Garros organizers over how the tournament's revenue is shared between the players and the organization, even though this year's tournament sees a 9.5% increase to 61.7 million euros, or $72.19 million, for .
On Monday, top players Aryna Sabalenka and defending French Open champion Coco Gauff released a statement, per Reuters, saying that Roland-Garros would be paying players less than 15% of the tournament's revenue. The tennis stars say their share of the tournament revenue had decreased from 15.5% in 2024 to a projected 14.9% in 2026.
Coco Gauff during practice on day two of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia at Foro Italico on May 6, 2026.
Credit: Robert Prange/Getty
The prize money is also well short of the 22% the players demanded to match the percentage they receive from ATP and WTA 1000 events.
Sinner said that the dispute is ongoing, long after the top-10 ranked men and women players sent a letter to the Grand Slam organizers last year asking for a larger share of the revenue.
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"It's not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have," he told reporters. "So I do understand players talking about boycott 'cause it's somewhere we also need to start. Now it's been a very long time with this. Then we see in the future."
At the Italian Open on Monday, Sabalenka told reporters the extent players will go to push for their demands.
Aryna Sabalenka in action in the second round on day 3 of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 6, 2026.
Credit: Robert Prange/Getty
"I think at some point we will boycott [the tournament], yeah. I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights," she said. "Let's see how far we can get, if it's going to take players for boycott... Some of the things, I feel like it's really unfair to the players."
She added, "I think at some point it's going to get to this."
Novak Djokovic supported Sabalenka's comments on the money matter, backing her for demonstrating leadership.
"I'm glad that there is willingness from the leaders of our sport, like Sabalenka, to really step up and really understand the dynamics of how the tennis politics works and understand the nuances and really what needs to be done not only for her benefit and well-being, but for everyone," he said.
Novak Djokovic speaks during a press conference following the Men's Singles Final against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during day 15 of the 2026 Australian Open.
Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty
"That's true leadership for me and I think she needs to maintain that," Djokovic continued. "I salute that. That's all I have to say about that."
Gauff added that "100%" thinks a boycott would take place at the French Open if the dispute continues, explaining that the push is not for her and top stars, but for the players aren't making as much.
"It's not about me. It's about the future of our sport and also the current players who aren't getting as much benefits, maybe, as even some of the top players are getting when it comes to sponsorship and things like that," Gauff said.
"We're making money off court," she continued. "When you look at the [players ranked] 50 to 100, 50 to 200, how much money each Slam makes, it's kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living paycheck to paycheck."
Read the original article on People