Top tennis players, both male and female, are planning a media protest at Roland Garros, expressing their dissatisfaction with the prize money and the decision-making processes at Grand Slam tournaments. The players will not be boycotting the tournament, though this possibility was raised earlier this month at the Rome tournament. Instead, they will leave press conferences after 15 minutes.

Why 15 Minutes?

The 15-minute limit has symbolic significance. The players want to highlight that Grand Slam tournaments, on average, allocate only around 15% of their revenue to prize money. The group, led by the highest-ranked players, seeks to increase this share to 22%, similar to joint ATP and WTA tournaments.

The 2026 Roland Garros prize money has increased by 9.5% compared to last year, reaching €61.7 million. However, players believe this is still insufficient given the tournament's overall revenue.

The Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon have also increased their prize funds in their latest editions, but none of them reach the 22% share, according to the players.

Seeking Greater Influence on Decisions

Beyond a larger prize fund, the players are demanding more investment in their well-being and greater influence in decision-making. One of their demands is the establishment of a Grand Slam Players Council. This initiative has been ongoing for some time. Last year, the group sent two letters to Grand Slam tournaments, signed by some of the world's most famous players.

Française des Jeux Expresses Concern

The French Tennis Federation has stated that it is concerned about the players' decision, as it impacts all stakeholders: media, TV rights holders, organizers, and the tennis community. The Federation acknowledges the importance of players to the tournament's success and desires to maintain close relationships with them. They have announced a meeting with player representatives to discuss governance, player welfare, and revenue-sharing models.

The main draw of Roland Garros begins next Sunday, with qualifying already underway. The main media day before the tournament is scheduled for Friday, and some players will hold press conferences during the weekend.

COMMENT: This protest is long overdue! The players are the heart and soul of tennis, and they deserve better. What do you think about their demands for a bigger share of the revenue and a stronger voice in decision-making?