Tennis's grand slam tournaments are facing a reckoning over prize money, and Roland Garros just moved first. The French Open has offered players a direct cut of tournament revenues, marking the first time any of the sport's four major championships has embraced a profit-sharing model with competitors.
The offer emerged from recent negotiations between Roland Garros officials and Larry Scott, the players' representative. No final agreement has been struck, but the French Open's pivot away from the traditional annual prize announcement signals a major shift in the standoff that has simmered between the sport's hierarchy and its athletes.
The move puts fresh pressure on the US Open, which is scheduled to unveil its prize purse early next month and faces a new leadership structure with the arrival of Craig Tiley as the US Tennis Association's chief executive. The US Open has had longer than other majors to negotiate terms with players, making the timing particularly charged.
Players have been pushing for guaranteed revenue sharing across all four grand slams: 16 percent of gross revenues immediately, climbing to 22 percent by 2030. Grand slams have historically increased prizes year to year without a binding formula, forcing players to negotiate annually rather than operate under predictable terms.
The French Open has sweetened its revenue-share proposal with additional commitments to fund player pensions, expand health care coverage, and grant players greater influence over tournament governance. That approach contrasts sharply with the position taken by Wimbledon's leadership.
Last month, Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, dismissed revenue-based prize money as nonsensical, triggering threats of a media boycott from players during Wimbledon's opening week. The protest was ultimately called off, but the friction revealed the depth of the divide between players and some tournament operators.
The US Open raised its total prize fund 21 percent last year to $85 million from $70 million the prior year. A similar increase this year would push the combined purse past $100 million for the first time, though players are seeking structural guarantees rather than annual goodwill gestures.
At least one top player has already signaled resolve on the issue. Jannik Sinner, currently ranked world No. 1, has stated he will skip the US Open's mixed doubles event unless meaningful progress materializes before the tournament. Mixed doubles precedes the singles draw at Flushing Meadows, and player withdrawals could create scheduling complications.
Author James Rodriguez: "The French Open's move strips away the pretense that prize money is charity instead of obligation, and now the US Open has to decide whether to follow suit or dig in for a longer fight."
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