French Open players are voicing growing concerns over prize money distribution, with some of the sport’s top names calling for a reevaluation of revenue sharing. Among the leading players involved are Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, who, along with several other top-10 ranked athletes, have expressed “deep disappointment” over the allocation of funds. The players are also advocating for better representation, health benefits, and pension structures across the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open.

Players’ Share of Revenue Declines

Roland Garros organizers announced a 10% increase in total prize money for 2026, bringing the total to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), a rise of 5.3 million euros from 2025. However, the players argue that their share of the tournament’s overall revenue has decreased from 15.5% in 2024 to an estimated 14.9% in 2026. Despite the event generating 395 million euros in 2025—a 14% increase compared to the previous year—prize money only rose by 5.4%, leading to a further reduction in players’ share to 14.3%.

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has pledged to maintain an open dialogue with players and their representatives and has arranged a meeting to address these concerns. “The FFT is ready for direct and constructive discussions on governance issues, with the aim of giving players a greater role in decision-making, contributing to players’ social protection, and evolving the distribution of value,” the FFT stated in a recent communication.

Media Protests and Communication Restrictions

In response to these concerns. Players have announced plans to protest during the 2026 tournament. According to reports from The Athletic. Players will not participate in pre-tournament press conferences after 15 minutes and will refuse to give interviews to Roland Garros media and major broadcasting partners such as TNT Sports and Eurosport. While an outright boycott has been ruled out, the actions will limit the media’s ability to access key players during the event.

“We regret the decision of the players, which affects all parties involved in the tournament: the media, television networks, the FFT, and the entire tennis community,” the FFT said in a statement. “The FFT recognizes the importance of the players’ contribution to the success of the tournament and wishes to maintain strong ties with them, we are open to engaging in direct and constructive dialogue on governance issues.”

Unseeded Players and Tournament Outlook

Despite the ongoing player disputes. Attention is also turning to the potential for surprise contenders in the 2026 French Open; the women’s singles field is particularly wide open, with several unseeded players posing a threat to top-ranked opponents. Among them is Zheng. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist, who is working to rebuild her ranking after undergoing elbow surgery in 2025; Zheng has a strong record at Roland Garros, including a quarterfinal finish in 2025, and has previously defeated former world No.1 Iga Swiatek.

Other notable unseeded players include Bartunkova, who has shown promise with strong performances at the Australian Open and Rome, and Eala, a Filipino player who has made a name for herself with top-10 victories. These players highlight the unpredictable nature of the tournament, where unseeded competitors can pose significant challenges to the favorites.