French Open agrees to direct talks with players over Grand Slam revenue dispute
Organisers and player representatives agree to continue dialogue following boycott-impacted media days, as the dispute over prize money and governance extends to other major tournaments.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has confirmed that it will engage in direct negotiations with top tennis players regarding the distribution of revenue from Grand Slam tournaments, following a constructive meeting at Roland Garros on Friday. The federation, represented by Roland Garros director Amelie Mauresmo, agreed to respond to player proposals in the coming weeks after what it described as a positive and transparent exchange.
The meeting occurred at the conclusion of a pre-tournament media day that had been significantly impacted by a coordinated protest. Approximately 20 of the highest-ranked players on the ATP and WTA tours, including world number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, limited their media commitments to 15 minutes to demonstrate dissatisfaction with the current financial structure.
Since March 2025, the group of players has been campaigning for their share of Grand Slam revenues to increase from the current 15 percent to 22 percent by 2030. Beyond financial redistribution, the players are seeking greater involvement in key decision-making processes for the four major tournaments and increased investment in player well-being, including healthcare, maternity leave, and pensions.
While the FFT has committed to addressing these demands, Mauresmo confirmed on Thursday that prize money for the French Open will remain unchanged for the current year. The federation’s press release on Saturday stated that both parties agreed to continue the dialogue, acknowledging that the discussions require more time to resolve.
The dispute has prompted player representatives, primarily agents, to seek engagement with other Grand Slam organisers. Separate talks with the organisers of Wimbledon and the US Open are scheduled for the end of Roland Garros. However, no meeting is currently planned with the Australian Open, leaving the status of engagement with that tournament uncertain.
