Top tennis players slam Roland Garros prize money, citing a shrinking share of tournament revenue

A group of leading players including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have expressed “their deep disappointment” at the level on prize money at Roland Garros amid a lingering dispute with Grand Slam tournament organizers.
The clay-court Grand Slam event starts later this month in western Paris. The players said they have other demands that have not been addressed by officials, including better representation, health and pensions.
The players’ call came after French Open organizers announced last month the Roland Garros prize money has increased by about 10 percent for an overall pot of €61.7 million ($72.1 million), with the total amount up €5.3 million from last year.
“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5 percent in 2024 to 14.9 percent projected in 2026,” the group of players responded in a statement on Monday.
Play begins on May 24 at Roland Garros.

Men’s and women’s singles champions each receive €2.8 million and the runners-up €1.4 million. Semifinalists earn €750,000 and first round losers get €87,000.

Men’s and women’s doubles winners pocket €600,000 and the mixed doubles champions get €122,000.
But the statement said “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” claiming that players receive a declining share of the value they contribute to generate.
“According to tournament officials, Roland Garros generated €395 million in revenue in 2025, a 14 percent year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4 percent, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3 percent,” they said. “With estimated revenues of over €400 million for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15 percent, far