French Open players plan media protest over prize-money share
PARIS (AP) — Players at the French Open are planning to reduce media appearances ahead of the start of the Grand Slam to complain about their share of the prize money. A group have already targeted the upcoming clay-court tournament for reducing players’ share of revenue to an alleged 14. 3% — compared to 22% at other ATP and WTA events.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff were among leading players who threatened a boycott of the Slams earlier this month if they don’t start receiving more compensation. L'Equipe newspaper reported Wednesday that many players competing at Roland Garros, which begins Sunday, are planning to limit their conversations with reporters to 15 minutes during Friday's traditional pre-tournament media day.
The French tennis federation (FFT), which organizes the French Open, said in a statement to The Associated Press that it regrets the players' initiative “which penalizes all stakeholders involved in the tournament: the media, broadcasters, federation staff and the entire tennis community that enthusiastically follows each edition of Roland Garros. ” Sabalenka and fellow No. 1 Jannik Sinner were among leading players — most of them ranked in the top 10 — who earlier this month issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” over French Open prize money .
The players are also seeking better representation, health options and pensions from the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U. S. Open.
Roland Garros organizers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10% for an overall pot of 61. 7 million euros ($72. 1 million), with the total amount up 5.