“We Deserve More”: Sinner Joins Rising French Open Prize Money Revolt

The growing tension between tennis players and Grand Slam organisers has now reached a serious stage, with world No.1 Jannik Sinner openly backing demands for a fairer share of tournament revenues ahead of the French Open.

Speaking at the Italian Open in Rome, Sinner said the issue was no longer just about money for elite stars, but about “respect” for every player competing on tour .

“It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us,” Sinner said, adding that players contribute enormously to the sport’s popularity and commercial success but are not receiving a fair return.

The controversy intensified after players claimed that their share of revenue at Roland Garros has effectively dropped despite the overall prize money increasing. Organisers recently announced a prize pool of 61.7 million euros , roughly a 10 per cent rise from last year. However, players argue that the actual percentage of tournament revenue distributed to them has fallen from 15.5 per cent in 2024 to a projected 14.9 per cent in 2026 .

That figure has angered several leading stars, especially when compared to ATP and WTA events where players reportedly receive much larger shares. According to Sinner , some regular tour events provide close to 30 per cent of revenues once bonuses and profit sharing are included.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka had earlier suggested that players should even consider a boycott if their concerns continue to be ignored. While Sinner stopped short of endorsing a boycott, he admitted that players could no longer remain silent.

“We’ve been quiet for a long time and now the time has come to raise our voice,” he said.

The protest movement is now expected to shift attention toward Wimbledon Championships and the US Open, with players hoping the upcoming prize money announcements reflect a more player friendly approach .

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic also lent support to the movement despite distancing himself earlier this year from the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded. Djokovic praised younger players for speaking up and said tennis governance remains too fragmented , with multiple bodies controlling different parts of the sport.