Trending Now - Sabalenka Walks Out as French Open Prize Money Protests Erupt

WHO:

BBC - Aryna Sabalenka cut short her news conference as part of a 15-minute limit on media duties in protest at the prize money on offer.

NBC Sports - Novak Djokovic confirmed that he is not a part of the 15-minute media protest against the Grand Slams.

BBC - Several leading players, including men's world number one Jannik Sinner and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, followed the 'work-to-rule' directive during the pre-tournament media day.

NBC Sports - Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff supported a boycott of the Grand Slams if they do not start receiving more compensation.

NBC Sports - Novak Djokovic confirmed he is not participating in the media protest against the Grand Slams.

BBC - Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic, Amelie Mauresmo

NBC Sports - Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff

WHAT:

NBC Sports - The players' share of revenue at the French Open is projected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026.

NBC Sports - Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo stated, “I’m not going to tell you that everything will be resolved with the snap of a finger,” regarding ongoing discussions about prize money.

NBC Sports - The total prize money for the French Open is $72 million, an increase of over $6 million from the previous year.

NBC Sports - The singles champions at Roland Garros will each receive over $3 million, an increase of nearly $300,000 compared to 2025.

NBC Sports - The players' share of revenue at the French Open is projected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026.

NBC Sports - The singles champions at Roland Garros will each receive over $3 million, an increase of nearly $300,000 compared to 2025.

NBC Sports - The players' share of revenue at the French Open is projected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026, which is a new projection not previously mentioned.

NBC Sports - The prize money for the French Open increased by about 10%, following a 20% increase at the U.S. Open last year and a 16% increase at this year’s Australian Open.

NBC Sports - Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo stated, “I’m not going to tell you that everything will be resolved with the snap of a finger,” regarding ongoing discussions about prize money.

NBC Sports - Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo stated, “No, we are not going to change anything. We are going to initiate discussions and that is what everyone wants.”

NBC Sports - The players claimed that the event generated $458 million in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%.

BBC - Aryna Sabalenka cut short her news conference as part of a protest regarding prize money.

NBC Sports - The French Open prize money will not change this year, according to tournament director Amelie Mauresmo.

NBC Sports - The total prize money for the French Open is $72 million, an increase of over $6 million from the previous year.

NBC Sports - The singles champions at Roland Garros will each receive over $3 million, an increase of nearly $300,000 compared to 2025.

NBC Sports - Players' share of revenue at the French Open is projected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026.

WHERE:

BBC - Roland Garros, Paris

NBC Sports - Roland Garros

WHEN:

NBC Sports - A meeting is expected between tournament organizers and players and their representatives after the tournament.

WHY:

BBC - Players believe a greater share of the revenue generated by Grand Slam tournaments should be allocated in prize money.

NBC Sports - Players have criticized the Open organizers for reducing their share of revenue to an alleged 14.3%.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Many competing at Roland Garros are planning to limit their interaction with reporters to 15 minutes during the traditional pre-tournament media day as a form of protest.

BBC - Leading players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner, are limiting their media duties to 15 minutes as part of the protest.

NBC Sports - Many competing at Roland Garros are planning to limit their interaction with reporters to 15 minutes during the traditional pre-tournament media day as a form of protest.

BBC - Players are limiting their media interaction to 15 minutes during the pre-tournament media day as a form of protest.

NBC Sports - Mauresmo stated that discussions will continue regarding the prize money issue.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 11:17 UTC)

The players' share of revenue at the French Open is expected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026, as tournament director Amelie Mauresmo acknowledged the complexity of ongoing discussions about prize money, stating, “I’m not going to tell you that everything will be resolved with the snap of a finger.” Despite this decline, the total prize money for the tournament has risen to $72 million, with singles champions set to receive over $3 million each, marking an increase of nearly $300,000 compared to 2025. In a show of protest, many competitors at Roland Garros are planning to limit their interactions with reporters to just 15 minutes during the traditional pre-tournament media day.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 09:28 UTC)

Aryna Sabalenka cut short her news conference today as part of a 15-minute limit on media duties in protest against the declining prize money at the French Open, while Novak Djokovic confirmed he is not participating in this media protest. The players' share of revenue at the tournament is expected to drop from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026, even as singles champions will each receive over $3 million, which is an increase of nearly $300,000 compared to 2025. Many athletes competing at Roland Garros are planning to limit their interactions with reporters to just 15 minutes during the traditional pre-tournament media day to express their dissatisfaction.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 06:01 UTC)

Several leading players, including men's world number one Jannik Sinner and four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, participated in a 'work-to-rule' directive during the pre-tournament media day, limiting their interactions with reporters to just 15 minutes as a form of protest. This comes as the players' share of revenue at the French Open is projected to decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% in 2026, a new figure that has not been previously mentioned. Despite this decline, the prize money for the French Open has seen an increase of about 10%, following significant boosts at both the U.S. Open and Australian Open earlier this year.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 21:30 UTC)

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff have voiced their support for a potential boycott of the Grand Slams if prize money does not improve, while Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will not take part in the media protest against these tournaments. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that resolving the issues surrounding compensation won't happen overnight. As part of the protest, leading players like Sabalenka, Gauff, and Jannik Sinner are restricting their media commitments to just 15 minutes.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 19:29 UTC)

Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo announced that there will be no changes made to the current structure, stating, “We are going to initiate discussions and that is what everyone wants.” Players at Roland Garros reported that the event generated $458 million in 2025, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, but noted that prize money only rose by 5.4%, which has reduced their share of revenue to 14.3%. In response to these concerns, many competitors are planning to limit their interactions with reporters to just 15 minutes during the traditional pre-tournament media day as a form of protest.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 17:37 UTC)

Aryna Sabalenka made headlines by cutting short her news conference in protest over prize money at Roland Garros, where the total prize pool has increased to $72 million, but players' share of revenue is projected to decline. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo confirmed that the prize money will remain unchanged this year, with singles champions set to earn over $3 million each, a nearly $300,000 increase from last year. Following the tournament, a meeting is expected between organizers and players to discuss these ongoing concerns about revenue distribution.