Coco Gauff agrees with Aryna Sabalenka that tennis stars may be forced to boycott Grand Slams.
Prize money and player representation is a concern for a number of leading ATP and WTA names, who have joined together to call for change.
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Sabalenka is fighting her case over the clay swingCredit: Getty
The group expressed “collective disappointment” at this year’s French Open prize money as the overall share of the tournament’s revenue declined despite a year of pressure.
“At some point we will boycott,” Sabalenka announced Tuesday at the Italian Open. “I feel like that’s going to be the only way to kind of, like, fight for our rights.
“Let’s see how far we can get. If it’s going to take players for boycott.
“I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players. I think at some point it’s going to get to this.”
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World No. 4 Gauff and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina threw their support behind the Belarussian.
“For all of us showing up, everyone’s going to act as normal. I definitely agree with her on that standpoint,” Gauff said. “I think a few other players agree, too.”
WNBA CBA shows player power can get it done
WNBA players fought for over a year before eventually signing a new collective bargaining agreement that brought them nearly 20 percent of league revenue.
Gauff cited that example and claimed it is players further down the rankings with more at stake.
“If everyone were to move as one and collaborate, yeah, I can 100 percent see that,” she added. “It’s not about me.
“It’s about the future of our sport and the current players who aren’t getting as much benefits as even some of the top players are getting, when it comes to like sponsorship and things like that. We’re making money off court.
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Gauff hailed the WNBA as an example of player powerCredit: Getty
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Celebs are unlikely to flock to Roland Garos if the best players sit outCredit: Getty
“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 paycheck to paycheck, whereas other sports it’s not even a discussion.
“If we all collectively agree, then yes. … I think that is something us as players have to talk amongst ourselves and do it, and talk within each other and decide what’s best. But we definitely can move more as a collective.
“I feel like we’re doing well, though. The progress we made since last year to now, just having the top 10 all agree on something, is I think the first that’s happened in our sport in a long time. I do think there’s progress, but we can do more, for sure.”
The prize fund at Roland Garos is up 9.5 percent from 2025 to a total of $72.3 million.
That is just a 15 percent share of projected revenue — a year-on-year fall and far short of what players deemed fair.
Joint ATP and WTA Tour events award 22 percent of revenue, with NFL, NBA and MLB receiving close to half.
French Open prize money slammed
“As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create,” a statement circulated by the player group, which also includes Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, said.
“While other major international sports are modernising governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change.
“The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”
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There is clearly a long way to go but with the game’s top players seemingly presenting a united front, the ball is now in the organizers’ court.
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