The French Open has become the first grand slam tournament to offer players a share of event revenue, marking a significant step forward in the dispute over prize money. The offer was made during talks at Wimbledon a fortnight ago and could increase pressure on the US Open, which is due to announce its prize fund for this year’s tournament at the start of next month.
What did Roland Garros offer?
Officials from Roland Garros made the offer to the players’ representative, Larry Scott, in discussions at Wimbledon, according to . While no agreement has yet been reached, the French Open’s willingness to commit to a profit-share model for prize money is a major development and separates it from the three other grand slam tournaments.
The move also signals a broader willingness to contribute to player pensions and health care, and to give players more say in how the tournament is run. That places Roland Garros on a different path from the other majors at a time when negotiations over prize money remain unresolved.
Why has the dispute over prize money intensified?
The players are seeking guarantees that all grand slam tournaments will pay 16% of revenue in prize money immediately, rising to 22% by 2030. Although all four majors have raised prize money significantly in recent years, players want a formal formula based on revenue sharing rather than having to wait each year for notification of the annual award.
The issue has already caused tension at Wimbledon. Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, angered the players last month by saying that it made
“no sense”to use tournament revenues to determine prize money. The players responded by threatening a media boycott for the entire first week of Wimbledon, although that protest was ultimately cancelled.
How is the US Open under pressure?
The US Open faces particular scrutiny because it has had longer to reach an agreement with the players, and this year’s tournament comes as Craig Tiley arrives as the new chief executive of the US Association. The event is due to announce its prize fund at the start of next month, increasing the pressure to make progress before the tournament begins.
A number of players, including world No 1 Jannik Sinner, have threatened not to play in the US Open’s mixed doubles tournament, which precedes the singles at Flushing Meadows, if significant progress is not made. The threat adds another layer of urgency to negotiations after the French Open’s move set a new benchmark among the grand slam tournaments.
What did the US Open pay last year?
Last year the US Open increased its prize money by 21% to $85m, up from $70m the year before. A similar rise this year would take the total prize pot above $100m for the first time, underscoring the scale of the financial demands now facing the tournament.
Even so, players continue to push for a long-term structure that links prize money more directly to revenue across all four grand slam events. The French Open’s offer suggests that at least one major may now be prepared to move in that direction, even if a final agreement remains outstanding.
Key Facts
- The French Open became the first grand slam tournament to offer players a share of event revenue.
- The offer was made during talks at Wimbledon a fortnight ago to players’ representative Larry Scott.
- Players want 16% of revenue in prize money immediately, rising to 22% by 2030.
- Debbie Jevans said it made
“no sense”
to use tournament revenues to determine prize money. - Last year the US Open raised prize money by 21% to $85m, from $70m the year before.
