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New Delhi: World no.1 Aryna Sabalenka believes top players should unite in boycotting Grand Slams if their concerns regarding the prize money in the tournaments are not addressed. Sabalenka said a boycott is possible at the upcoming French Open 2026 after top players recently protested against not receiving a fair share of the tournament’s revenue as prize money.

Sabalenka and men’s no.1 Jannik Sinner were among the leading tennis players who recently expressed “deep disappointment” over the prize money at the French Open 2026. Most of the players ranked in the top ten across men’s and women’s tennis registered their protest regarding not receiving enough share from the revenue pool as prize money in Grand Slams.

Sabalenka, who is currently taking part in the Italian Open, warned that there could be a complete boycott from top players if the tournament organisers refuse to address their concerns amid row over prize money. The world no.1 feels there will be no tournament without the players and that the players deserve an increased share from the revenue pool.

“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage,” said Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion.

“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,” she added.

What are top tennis players demanding?

The top tennis players across the globe are demanding an increase in prize money across Grand Slams and also better health facilities and pensions from the organisers of all four tournaments – the French Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

The tennis players registered their protest on Monday despite the French Open organisers increasing the overall prize money pool of the tournament by 10%. The overall prize money pot has been increased to 61.7 million euros, up by 5.3 million euros from last year. However, the players argued that the prize money pool is not even 15% of the total revenue that the tournament will generate.

The players have claimed that the overall prize money share in the total revenue pool has declined to 14.9% from 15.5% in 2024. The players have claimed that the French Open will do an estimated revenue of over 400 million euros this year, and the prize money pool is less than 15% of that. The players had earlier demanded a 22% share of the overall revenue at all Grand Slams and ATP and WTA 1000 events.

The French Open 2026 is set to get underway on May 24. The men’s and women’s champions in the tournament will receive a prize money of 2.8 million euros each, while the runners-up will be paid 1.4 million euros each. The players who reach the semifinals will earn 750,000 euros each.

Top women players like Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini are ready to join Sabalenka if a potential boycott of the French Open 2026 is announced.