Tennis players plan French Open media protest in the wake of prize money disagreement

(Getty/Julian Finney)

According to a report from The New York Times, a range of players will follow through on a media protest at the upcoming French Open, as a settlement over prize money has yet to be reached.

It comes after players such as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff hinted that players could potentially boycott future Grand Slam events.

"I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah," said world No.1 Sabalenka during her pre-tournament press conference at the Italian Open. "I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights."

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But instead of a total boycott of Roland-Garros, which commences Sunday, May 24, players will walk out of their pre-tournament press conferences after 15 minutes, to symbolise the 15 per cent revenue that they will receive from the Parisian Slam.

The Guardian reports that players across the draw will also refuse interviews with French Open media and the tournament's primary rights holders, TNT Sports and Eurosport. They will only conduct flash interviews with broadcasters after matches to avoid being fined.

A spokesperson for the French Tennis Federation (FFT) commented on the players' decision.

"We regret the players' decision, which impacts all of the tournament's stakeholders: the media, broadcasters, the FFT and the entire tennis community, all of whom follow each edition of Roland-Garros with great enthusiasm," the statement read.

"The FFT recognises the importance of the players' contribution to the tournament's success, and wishes to maintain close ties with them. In early May, it proposed a meeting that will take place on Friday 22 May, with some of their representatives.

"The FFT is ready to engage in direct and constructive dialogue on governance issues, with a view to giving players a greater say in decision-making, contributing to players' welfare and evolutions in the value-sharing model."

FFT president Gilles Moretton and French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo are expected to hold talks about the matter, with The New York Times stating that meetings with Wimbledon and US Open representatives are scheduled to take place later in the tournament.

The top players are seeking a 22 per cent revenue share for Grand Slam prize money, which would be in line with the same percentage received for the ATP and WTA 1000 tournaments.

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