The main draw of the 2026 French Open kicks off on May 24, with qualifiers beginning this week.
On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner will chase the prospects of a career Grand Slam while his rival, Carlos Alcaraz, is absent. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff looks to defend her title on the women’s side, while several other top WTA players are also in the mix. But in the mix, there is also a dispute between players and Grand Slams over prize money.
Possible Grand Slam Boycott, PTPA Lawsuit
While most of the top players are expected to compete at this year’s French Open, that doesn’t come without tension. Just three weeks after several ATP and WTA players sent a letter expressing “deep disappointment” in the tournament’s prize money, players who attend Friday’s opening press conference will walk out after 15 minutes in part of a “work-to-rule” strategy.
This 15 represents the 15% share of the tournament’s projected revenue that players say they’ll earn—far less than the 22% players want by 2030. The players’ media strategy also includes limiting other off-court activities. Additionally, players like Sinner, WTA’s No. 1 player Aryna Sabalenka, and No. 4 Gauff said they would support a possible Grand Slam boycott if they continue to feel they aren’t getting what they deserve.
