Sabalenka all in on possible RG player boycott

Aryna Sabalenka would go along with a player boycott of the French Open as a controversy over paltry prize money blows up with the start of the Grand Slam now just weeks away.

The WTA world No. 1 is on board with a protest – the letter was also signed by men’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner – sent this week to tennis bosses complaining that players are getting underpaid by the four Grand Slams.

With Roland Garros starting on the Paris clay in just over a fortnight, a tense  situation is getting critical.

She reinforced her militant stand on Tuesday prior to the start of the Rome Masters.

“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 (of tournament revenues),” the four-time Grand Slam winner who turned 28 on the day said.

“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.” 

Players are seeking a larger slice of the pie at the majors, with the protest ignited as Paris announced a small prize money rise of around 10 percent.

ATP and WTA competitors say the USD 72 million total purse still gives them a lesser percentage of revenues, declining from 15.5 percent in 2024 to 14.9 for the upcoming edition.

Also joining the protest is Paris holder Coco Gauff, who takes her cues form women’s basketball in the US.

“Usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union,” Gauff said. “We have to become unionized in some way. … We definitely can move more as a collective.”

But the Floridian said she had yet to hear any boycott threats.

Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina is also keen for serious action: 

“If the majority (of players) say we are boycotting, we are not playing, then of course I’m up for it. It’s not only about raising the prize money. 

“A lot of people are not aware that there is taxes which are big. You even make more prize money, but you giving it all to the taxes.”

Former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who has won the Roland Garros title four times, is hoping for a peaceful solution.

“Hopefully before Roland Garros there’s going to be opportunity to have these type of meetings and we’ll see how they go.

“But boycotting the tournament, it’s a bit extreme kind of situation.”