Jannik Sinner shares his thoughts on the Grand Slam boycott over pay issues ahead of the French Open
Jannik Sinner has shared his honest thoughts on players possibly boycotting a Grand Slam over the ongoing pay dispute.
Sinner, who has had an amazing start to 2026 by winning all four Masters 1000 events this year, is now getting ready for his Italian Open match against Austrian Sebastian Ofner. After that, he’ll focus on the second big tournament of the year, the French Open, starting later this month.
Even though Sinner is playing really well on the court, there are still worries about pay behind the scenes. Earlier this week, Sinner and 19 other pro tennis players spoke out together about concerns over player earnings. They say their share of the prize money has actually gone down, even though the French Open prize pot has increased for 2026.
The players made it clear they’re not happy with the prize money, even though the tournament organizers announced a 9.5% increase to £52.6 million total. This means each singles winner, men and women, will get £2.4 million.
The issue is that, while the overall money has gone up, the players’ share compared to the tournament’s total income is shrinking across the four big tournaments – the US Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
Women’s No. 1 player Aryna Sabalenka has also spoken up, saying, “At some point, we might have to boycott. It looks like the only way to fight for our rights.”
On the other hand, four-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek offered a calmer view. She said, “The most important thing is to have good communication with the officials so we can talk and maybe find a solution. Hopefully, before Roland Garros, we’ll have some meetings. But boycotting is a last resort.”
Now, Sinner has added his voice to the pay debate. He doesn’t completely rule out a Grand Slam boycott, pointing out that “respect” is just as important as money.
In Rome, he said, “We give a lot more than what we get back. This isn’t just about top players; it’s all of us. Both men and women are very equal on this. The top 10 men and women sent a letter, and it’s not good that after a year, we still haven’t reached an agreement.
“Look at other sports—if top athletes send important letters, they usually get a response and a meeting within 48 hours. It’s about money, yes, but even more about respect. And right now, we don’t feel respected.”
When asked if he’d be willing to sit out a big tournament like a Grand Slam, he said, “I can’t predict the future. But I think at some point, something has to start. I understand players who decide not to play. From what I see in press conferences, I’m definitely not alone. This is the first time it feels like players are united and share the same views.”
The French Open kicks off on May 18 and goes until June 7.