Top players in men’s and women’s tennis have intensified pressure on the sport’s governing structures, raising the possibility of collective action over prize money and scheduling disputes at Grand Slam tournaments.
As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, speaking at the Italian Open, women’s world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, said she believes players could “at some point” boycott one of tennis’s four majors if long-standing concerns are not addressed.
The comments add to growing frustration among leading professionals about how the sport is run at its highest level.
Her remarks were met with differing reactions across the tour.
World number three, Iga Swiatek, pushed back on the idea, describing a boycott as “a bit extreme” and suggesting that escalation to that level would be difficult to justify.
Defending French Open champion, Coco Gauff, took a more conditional stance, saying she would be open to strike action only if players acted together in a coordinated way.
Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among some players that unity would be essential for any meaningful change.
On the men’s side, world number one Jannik Sinner criticised the current structure, arguing that players are not receiving sufficient recognition or reward at the sport’s biggest events, particularly in relation to prize money.
The debate comes as the sport prepares for the French Open, which runs from May 24 to June 7. The timing has added pressure on organisers as attention turns to one of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments.
In response, the French Tennis Federation expressed regret over the players’ comments, warning that any disruption would affect broadcasters, media partners, and the wider tennis ecosystem.
The federation also stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with players and acknowledged their central role in the tournament’s success.
With tensions rising ahead of the clay-court Grand Slam, the dispute highlights a widening gap between elite players and tournament organisers over how revenue, scheduling, and influence should be shared in professional tennis.
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