Aryna Sabalenka: World No 1 calls for a 'boycott' as players' row with Grand Slams continue over prize money

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka believes tennis players should organise a boycott if they don't start receiving a bigger share of tournament revenues at the Grand Slams .

Sabalenka and fellow men's world No. 1 Jannik Sinner were among leading players - most of them ranked in the top 10 - who issued a statement on Monday expressing "deep disappointment" over the French Open prize money .

The players are also seeking better representation, health options and pensions from tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments - Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

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"Without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment. I feel like we deserve to be paid more," said Sabalenka ahead of this week's Italian Open, live on Sky Sports Tennis.

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"I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights."

Coco Gauff said she could "100 per cent" see the players joining Sabalenka's call for a French Open boycott if the dispute of over Grand Slam payouts is not resolved.

"It's about the future of our sport," Gauff said in Rome on Wednesday, "I definitely agree with her on that standpoint. I think a few other players agree, too.

"There are current players that aren't getting as much benefits as even some of the top players are getting when it comes to sponsorship and things like that. We are making money off court.

"When you look at the 50 to 100, 50 to 200, how much money each slam makes, it's kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living pay check to pay check."

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French Open organisers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10 per cent for an overall pot of £53.5m, with the total amount up £4.6m from last year.

But the players' statement said "the underlying figures tell a very different story," claiming they will receive a smaller share of tournament revenues.

It added: "The players' share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5 per cent in 2024 to 14.9 pe cent projected in 2026."

Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek said "the most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate.

"Hopefully before Roland Garros there's going to be opportunity to have these type of meetings and we'll see how they go," she added.

"But boycotting the tournament, it's a bit extreme kind of situation."

French Open organisers did not respond to a request by AP for comment after the players issued their statement.

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What are players asking for?

Last season, Sinner, Sabalenka and Gauff were among the players to meet with the Grand Slams at Roland-Garros but there was further frustration last autumn when further discussions were delayed.

There are three broads areas of concern players have sent to each of the four Grand Slams for the changes they would like to see implemented:

• Prize money - a higher ratio of prize money-to-revenue in acknowledgement of what players contribute to the financial success of the tournaments, with more money trickling down the draws.
• Player welfare - how much the Grand Slams are willing to contribute to pension, healthcare and maternity pots.
• More consultation - the players want a say in major decisions made by the Slams to alleviate tough schedules, late night finishes and elongated tournaments.

In Acapulco in 2022, Alexander Zverev beat Jenson Brooksby at 4:55am in the latest finish to a professional match.

The latest finish to a Grand Slam match is 4.33 am for the match between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis at the Australian Open in 2008, with Andy Murray's 4:05am finish against Thanasi Kokkinakis also in Melbourne in 2023.

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam with a curfew and matches are cut off at 11pm.

Full list of the players who have put their name to the campaign to change the prize money structure at Roland-Garros:

Women: Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva.

Men: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex De Minaur, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Watch the Italian Open in Rome until Sunday May 17, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app.