World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has called on tennis players to unite and even boycott tournaments if organizers refuse to give players a bigger share of tournament revenues.
Speaking after the controversy over prize money at the French Open, Sabalenka said players deserve more because they are the main reason fans watch the sport.
“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.
“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.
Sabalenka explained that tournaments earn huge amounts of money from ticket sales, sponsors, and TV rights, while many players, especially lower-ranked players, still struggle financially.
She believes players should receive a fairer share of the profits and have more say in decisions about the sport. Men’s World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff have backed the 28-year-old.
Gauff believes tennis players need to become more united by forming a players’ union if they want to see real change in the sport. “If we all collectively agree, then yes.
“I wouldn’t want to be the only one, but we definitely can move more as a collective.
“From the things I’ve seen with other sports, usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union. We have to become unionised in some way.”
The French Open will take place from May 24 to June 7, 2026. With growing frustration over prize money and player rights, some players may choose not to participate as a way of making a statement and pushing for change to ensure their voices are heard.
