French Open 2026: Tennis Players Stage Media Protest for Reforms

Media Protest at the French Open

The 2026 French Open is witnessing a unique media protest led by top tennis players. These athletes are advocating for increased prize money and other significant reforms at Grand Slam events. The action planned for the French Open involves players walking out of pre-tournament press conferences early.

Details of the Protest

At the Italian Open, prominent players like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff hinted at potentially boycotting major tennis events. For the French Open, they have opted for a different approach. Initially, the planned news conference span of 15 minutes has been reduced to a 10-minute session, followed by a brief five-minute video interview with the tournament’s host broadcaster for distribution. There will be a refusal to participate in media day interviews with key French Open media partners, though this protest is restricted to only one day.

Reaction from the French Tennis Federation

“We regret the players’ decision, which impacts all the tournament’s stakeholders…”

The FFT has responded to the players’ actions by expressing regret over the decision, stating it disrupts various stakeholders within the tournament, including media and broadcasters. However, the FFT remains open to discussions and is willing to engage in constructive dialogue about governance and player welfare, with a meeting scheduled for May 22.

Strategic Meetings and Ongoing Conversations

The players are set to meet with FFT President Gilles Moretton, and French Open Director Amélie Mauresmo. Larry Scott, an experienced advisor, may participate in these talks. Meetings with representatives from Wimbledon and the US Open are planned to occur during the tournament, emphasizing ongoing dialogue between players and these events.

Financial Aspects and Proposed Changes

The protest revolves around the fact that Grand Slam tournaments allocate approximately 15% of their revenue to prize money. The players are pushing to increase this share to 22%, aligning with joint ATP and WTA events. Comparatively, U.S. team sports often allocate near 50% of revenue, although tennis players lack collective bargaining powers.

The French Open has already increased its prize pool to $72.3 million, marking a 9.5% rise from 2025. Similar increases have occurred at other Majors, yet none have reached the 22% target that players are lobbying for.

Unified Player Action

This protest follows previous letters sent to Grand Slam tournaments, detailing the players’ demands. The leading figures include many top athletes from the WTA and ATP Tours.

While a formal boycott might be challenging, the collective stand taken by players is noteworthy. Walking out of media sessions keeps the 15% revenue-related prize money issue prominent, impacting how media and broadcasters report on and cover the tournaments.