World No.1 Jannik Sinner the latest big name to speak in Rome regarding Grand Slam prize money

(Julian Finney/Getty Images)

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has joined other top players in voicing his disappointment at the recently announced French Open prize money.

He has asked Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in the row over prize money, but didn't go as far as saying to boycott the sport's major events.

Last year, almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, and involvement in decisions that affected them.

The letters set a target of a 22-per-cent share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP men's tour and the women's WTA tour.

But Sinner, speaking at the Italian Open in Rome ahead of his first match, said that the players were no nearer an agreement with the four biggest tournaments.

"It's more about respect. Because I think we give much more than we are getting back. It's not only for the top players; it's for all of us players," Sinner said.

"It's not nice that after one year, we are not even close to the conclusion of what we would like to have."

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Sinner said he may back players pulling out of Grand Slam tournaments in the future.

"Of course, we talk about money, but the most important is respect, and we just don't feel it. I think we players, we are a bit disappointed also of the outcome of Roland Garros, for example. So let's see what's coming," added Sinner.

"So I do understand players talking about a boycott because it's somewhere we also need to start. Now it has been a very long time with this. Then we see in the future."

Sinner will begin his bid for a record-extending sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title against Austrian Sebastian Ofner on Saturday.

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