Top players including No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka expressed “their deep disappointment” at the French Open prize money on Monday.
The players, most of them from the top 10 in the ATP and WTA, added their other demands have not been addressed by officials from the four Grand Slam tournaments, including better representation, health and pensions.
French Open organizers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10% for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), with the total amount up 5.3 million euros from last year.
But the players' statement said “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” claiming they will receive a smaller share of tournament revenues.
“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026,” the players said.
“According to tournament officials, Roland Garros generated 395 million euros in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%.
"With estimated revenues of over 400 million euros for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15%, far short of the 22% that players have requested to bring the Grand Slams into line with the ATP and WTA Combined 1000 events.”
French Open organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
The Australian Open this year increased the players' compensation by 16%, and the U.S. Open prize money last year went up by 20%.
The same group of players sent a letter a year ago to the heads of the four Grand Slams seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called “decisions that directly impact us.” However, the communications firm that released the statement on Monday said it was issued in the name of the original signatories to the initial letter, later adding that Novak Djokovic had not signed the new statement.
The players said they remain “united in their desire to see meaningful progress, both in terms of fair financial distribution and in how the sport is governed.”
They insisted they have not received any response to their proposals on welfare, including pension and long-term health, adding that no progress has been made “on fair and transparent player representation within Grand Slam decision-making.”
“While other major international sports are modernizing 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.”
Play begins on May 24 at Roland Garros.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus returns the ball to Hailey Baptiste of the U.S. during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Coco Gauff of the U.S. returns the ball to Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, returns the ball to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during their men's singles tennis final match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
MUNICH (AP) — A four-game winning streak. A star player who is half German.
There might not be a better time for the Detroit Lions to play a game in Munich. There's talk of a “takeover.”
“Now that we’re winning, our fans have traveled everywhere we go,” coach Dan Campbell said Friday after the team arrived in Bavaria ahead of Sunday's game against the New England Patriots.
“We almost feel like it’s been a takeover in some of these stadiums we’re at. Not every fan base is that way," he said. "Ours is that way. And so you come over here and our fan base comes and then you see this and the support that you feel here in Munich, in this country. It’s pretty inspiring.”
The Lions haven't played an international game since 2015. They bring a 6-2 record to Munich in what is technically a home game. It helps, too, that star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has a German mother and speaks the language fluently.
They are one of 11 NFL teams that have league-granted marketing rights in Germany, allowing them to sign commercial deals, build brand awareness and hold fan activations.
“We’re thrilled to be here to bring Detroit to the world and to have this opportunity to build the Detroit Lions’ brand and to continue to build our fan base and to engage with all the fans we have here in Germany and here in Europe,” team president and CEO Rich Haddad said.
“Walking around downtown,” he added, “it’s incredible to see how much Honolulu Blue is already here in Munich. It’s only going to grow over the next couple days. It’s been an incredible opportunity for our fans here in Germany and our fans who have come over from the United States and beyond.”
Campbell was asked to describe the Motor City to German fans.
“Well, it’s a blue-collar city and we have blue-collar fans. They’re very much all about hard work. We don’t have the beach,” he said. “The summers are unbelievable, but things come a little bit harder out in that area.”
The people, he said, would “give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.”
Hired in 2021, Campbell said he aimed to "build a team that they could relate to. We want to be a team that they can look at and say: ‘I respect that. I respect the way they go about their business.’ ... And so those are really the type of fans we have, man. Just good wholesome people that really care about each other. They put in good day's work and man, they back us up and support the heck out of us and we love them to death.”
Edge rusher DJ Wonnum (concussion) was a full participant at practice all week and doesn't have a game designation, indicating he's ready to play. ... RB Sione Vaki (ankle) practiced Friday for the first time this week. He was limited and is questionable for Sunday. Vaki can provide valuable breathers for Jahmyr Gibbs.
S Kerby Joseph (knee), C Cade Mays (ankle) and CB D.J. Reed (hip) did not travel to Munich and had already been ruled out for Sunday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media during a press conference before an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 ahead of the game between the Lions and the New England Patriots on Sunday. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) arrives for an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media during a press conference before an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 ahead of the game between the Lions and the New England Patriots on Sunday. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) warms up during an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell arrives for a press conference before an NFL football practice in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 ahead of the game between the Lions and the New England Patriots on Sunday. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
