French Open rejects top 10 player demand to increase prize money as figures remain

The has rejected the opportunity to increase the share of prize money given to players despite calls to do so from some of the biggest players in the game. The likes of and Iga Swiatek argued the case for a greater slice of the financial pie - but the second Grand Slam of the year has overlooked them.

It was confirmed on Thursday that the total amount of money offered at Roland Garros comes to £48.4million - which is an increase above inflation of 5.21 percent on last year. The men's and women’s singles winners will land £2.2m with £66,900 for all first-round losers.

Those numbers are an increase on last year, but are largely in line with the general hikes that are seen annually. The prize money total roughly represents around 16 percent of expected tournament revenue - which is similar to previous editions, reports

It is clear that organisers have not changed their stance despite the joint letter being sent last month. Top-ten players on the men’s and women’s tours asked for a “a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues, reflective of the players’ contribution to tournament value”.

Alongside Djokovic and Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff also signed the letter sent to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments as they sought more prize money. They also claimed that the tournaments should make financial contributions to player welfare programs that are currently funded by the male and female tours.

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The players also claimed they should have more of a say in decisions “directly impacting competition, as well as player health and welfare.” This is likely to be issues such as start times, with matches often going on late into the night to suit TV coverage, which has been criticised by some players.

It remains unlikely that players would boycott the French Open after they chose to stick by their current financial model. The players who signed the letter have been able to gain a commitment from the Grand Slams, including Wimbledon, to meet in person in the coming weeks.

The French Open ranks as the lowest-paying Grand Slam despite this year’s increases. Last year's US Open holds the record for the largest prize money of all time at £56.6m - which saw £2.7m being paid to the two champions - Sinner and Sabalenka.

Gilles Moretton, the president of the French Tennis Federation, said on Thursday: “The various organising committees of the four grand slams received a letter and we responded by saying that we were very open to discussing matters with them."

Wimbledon has not announced its prize money for this year’s tournament - that will come on June 12. An improvement on last year’s pot of £50m is all but guaranteed.