Madison Keys open to Grand Slam boycott over prize money row

Several of the top names in tennis have spoken out about the prize money available at this year’s Roland Garros tournament.

A joint statement from players including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner highlighted their unhappiness over how the projected prize money compares to the event’s overall revenue.

This isn’t a new issue either. Growing frustration over pay at all four Grand Slams has been simmering among top players for some time now.

The situation escalated further when Aryna Sabalenka raised the possibility of a player boycott if concerns continue to go unaddressed.

Now, Madison Keys, who won the 2025 Australian Open, has made her own feelings on the matter clear.

Madison Keys signals readiness to boycott Grand Slam events

“I think it is very important that players have more voice when the major decisions that concern them are made,” Keys told Eurosport France ahead of her first match at the WTA 125 Trophée Clarins tournament in Paris.

Players have long been pushing for a seat at the table with Grand Slam organisers, but progress has been slow.

According to her, it’s reached a point where many players feel that if action needs to be taken, a boycott isn’t off the table.

She added: “I hope we won’t get that far. But it’s great to see so many players, especially the youngest, so eager to fight for all the players.”

Asked whether a boycott was more of a bargaining tool than an actual plan right now, Keys explained:

“I think it’s one of those things we talk about until it finally happens,” she said.

Coco Gauff is among those who have voiced support for taking such a step if needed.

On the other hand, Andy Roddick believes boycotting this late into the season wouldn’t make sense and called pulling out of Roland Garros or Wimbledon ‘absurdly dumb’ at this stage in the calendar.

ATP and WTA players issue joint statement

“Roland Garros generated €395m in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by only 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%,” the group said in a statement last week, as reported by The Guardian.

“With estimated revenues of more than €400m for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15%, far short of the 22% that players have requested to bring the grand slams into line with the ATP and WTA tours.

“As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create.

“More critically, the announcement does nothing to address the structural issues that players have consistently and reasonably raised over the past year.

“There has been no engagement on player welfare and no progress towards establishing a formal mechanism for player consultation within grand-slam decision making.

“The grand slams remain resistant to change.

“The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”

This is clearly an issue that isn’t going away anytime soon.

No one wants to see top-level talent missing from Grand Slam events; fans would be hit hardest if boycotts were ever made official.

If changes don’t happen soon, public pressure could keep building until something gives on either side.

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