Players to cut short French Open interviews in pay row
The world's leading tennis players plan to limit their pre-French Open media commitments to 15 minutes in protest at the prize money on offer this Friday and Saturday at Roland Garros. The players could walk out of news conferences or broadcast interviews when the 15 minutes are up. The 15-minute limit is meant to symbolise the 15% of revenue that the Grand Slams allocate to prize money.
The strategy has been communicated to most of the top 200 singles players, but representatives of the players accept they are free to make their own decisions. The men's and women's top-10 players are demanding a higher percentage of the revenue generated by the four Grand Slams, as well as benefit contributions and a greater say in areas such as scheduling. This year's French Open prize money has increased by 9.5%, but the annual increase was 20% at last year's US Open and nearly 16% at January's Australian Open. Interviews with the French Open's major broadcast partners - such as TNT Sports - are likely to be targeted. The players' campaign began in late 2025 and is being spearheaded by former WTA chairman and chief executive Larry Scott.
It has not yet been decided whether the players' "work to rule" will continue when the main draw begins in Paris on Sunday. Larry Scott will be in Paris on Friday for a meeting with French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and FFT president Gilles Moretton. An FFT statement said it "regretted" the players' decision and it was "ready to engage in direct and constructive dialogue on governance issues". The French Open takes place from 24 May to 7 June.
Quick Summary
Top tennis players are planning a media protest at the upcoming French Open over prize money. The players' move is designed to put pressure on the tournament- but what will be the repercussions?
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