French Open players' media protest won't continue after organizers reportedly agree to discuss prize money following tournament
The players were reportedly heartened by discussions between a group of their agents and Roland-Garros officials.
The 2026 French Open will proceed as usual after a day of protest from the players, as the BBC reports the players will fulfill their media obligations when the tournament begins Sunday. The protest was the culmination of long-term complaints over the share of prize money at Grand Slams, which lags well behind ATP and WTA events on a percentage of revenue basis. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament While speaking to reporters during Friday's pre-tournament media day, a group of top players โ including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga ลwiฤ tek โ limited their appearance to only 15 minutes, meant to symbolize the 15% of revenue they will be getting from this yearโs event at Roland-Garros.
For comparison, standard ATP and WTA events pay out 22% of revenue, which the players want the Grand Slams to eventually match. A number of tennis stars cut their French Open media duties short as part of a 15-minute limit in protest at the prize money on offer โ The 15-minute limit is meant to symbolise the 15% of revenue the French Open currently offers. pic.
twitter. com/XltR8jVT31 โ BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 23, 2026 On the same day of the protest, player representative Larry Scott and a group of player agents met with French Tennis Federation officials, per the Guardian . The players were reportedly heartened by the talks: Sources involved described positive talks as vindicating their media boycott.
One said one day of direct action had achieved more than a year of discussions behind the scenes. The FFT has promised to return with detailed proposals within a fortnight of the finals at Roland-Garros, with the players adamant an increase in prize money must take place alongside discussions over welfare and player representation. Player representatives reportedly told the BBC that they never intended a tournament-long protest.