Madison Keys open to Grand Slam boycott over prize money row
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images Several of the top names in tennis have spoken out about the prize money available at this year’s Roland Garros tournament. A joint statement from players including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner highlighted their unhappiness over how the projected prize money compares to the event’s overall revenue. This isn’t a new issue either.
Growing frustration over pay at all four Grand Slams has been simmering among top players for some time now. The situation escalated further when Aryna Sabalenka raised the possibility of a player boycott if concerns continue to go unaddressed. Now, Madison Keys, who won the 2025 Australian Open, has made her own feelings on the matter clear.
Madison Keys signals readiness to boycott Grand Slam events Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images “I think it is very important that players have more voice when the major decisions that concern them are made,” Keys told Eurosport France ahead of her first match at the WTA 125 Trophée Clarins tournament in Paris. Players have long been pushing for a seat at the table with Grand Slam organisers, but progress has been slow. According to her, it’s reached a point where many players feel that if action needs to be taken, a boycott isn’t off the table.
She added: “I hope we won’t get that far. But it’s great to see so many players, especially the youngest, so eager to fight for all the players. ” Asked whether a boycott was more of a bargaining tool than an actual plan right now, Keys explained: “I think it’s one of those things we talk about until it finally happens,” she said.
Coco Gauff is among those who have voiced support for taking such a step if needed. On the other hand, Andy Roddick believes boycotting this late into the season wouldn’t make sense and called pulling out of Roland Garros or Wimbledon ‘absurdly dumb’ at this stage in the calendar. ATP and WTA players issue joint statement “Roland Garros generated €395m in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by only 5.