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A handful of top players slam Roland Garros prize money, but while the majors face criticism, they remain the only events offering equal pay — highlighting tennis’ deeper issue.
Aryna Sabalenka (AFP)
A coalition of tennis’ biggest names, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, has turned up the heat on Roland Garros, expressing “disappointment” over prize money ahead of this month’s Grand Slam.
For over a year, top players (men and women) have been pushing all four majors to share a larger slice of their growing revenues, alongside demands for better welfare, pensions, and a stronger voice in scheduling decisions.
But Roland Garros has become the latest flashpoint.
Why Are They Frustrated At Roland Garros?
At the heart of the issue is a simple number: players say their revenue share at the French Open is set to drop to 14.3% this year.
Compare that to roughly 22% at leading combined ATP-WTA events like Indian Wells, and the gap becomes harder to ignore.
Roland Garros’ Response
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has pushed back, saying the increases have been targeted at players who exit the tournament early. Prize money for the first three rounds has risen by around 11%, compared to a 9.8% bump for champions.
So basically, it’s a redistribution model. But it’s just not one that satisfies the sport’s elite.
And yet, here’s where the conversation gets complicated.
The Twisted Reality Of Pay Disparity In Tennis
For all the criticism directed at the Grand Slams, they remain the gold standard for gender parity.
Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open all offer equal prize money to men and women — a benchmark most of the ATP/WTA tour still hasn’t matched.
That matters because the four Slams, when put together, account for just eight weeks in an 11-month calendar. Outside that window, the disparity becomes stark.
The old justification, men playing best-of-five setsalso no longer applies outside the majors because, on the tours, the structure is identical — with both men and women playing best-of-three sets.
Yet, the pay is not.
So yes, players are right to demand more from Roland Garros and the Slams. But the bigger picture is harder to ignore.
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