Sabalenka, Sinner Lead Coordinated Media Protest at French Open
The players are seeking increased revenue and improved benefits from Grand Slams.
Many of the top men’s and women’s tennis stars, including No. 1 players Aryna Sabelenka and Jannik Sinner, executed their “work-to-rule” media day protest as they continue to seek increased revenue and improved welfare benefits from the Grand Slams. The protesting players limited their media availability to 15 minutes Friday—10 minutes at the press conference and 5 minutes with the French Open host broadcaster, which are the two mandatory media requirements for the players.
The 15-minute limit symbolizes the 15% share of projected revenue that players will receive in prize money at Roland Garros. They are asking for 22% by 2030. “We just wanted to make our point and we are united.
Fifteen minutes is better than zero,” Sabalenka said. “As I said a thousand times today, I have huge respect, but we know what’s happening here, so thank you so much. ” Coco Gauff timed her own press conference, occasionally glancing at the timer she started on her phone, at one point saying that she only had one minute left.
“I’ve got to be strict,” Gauff said laughing. The top players insisted that the protests were less about them and more about their lower-ranked colleagues. “It’s about the players who are lower in the ranking, who are suffering,” Sabalenka said.