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Players would boycott French Open over prize money dispute, says Sabalenka
ROME - Players would boycott the French Open if their prize money at the claycourt Grand Slam is not increased, women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka said on Tuesday, with Coco Gauff also voicing support for the drastic step.
The threat deepens a dispute between players and Roland Garros organisers over prize money distribution, even though this year's tournament offers a 9.5% increase to 61.7 million euros ($72.19 million).
Several top players released a statement on Monday saying they were set to receive prize money that would likely still be less than 15% of tournament revenue, well short of the 22% they demanded to match ATP and WTA combined 1000 events.
When asked how far players might push their demands, Sabalenka told reporters at the Italian Open: "I think at some point we will boycott it (the tournament), yeah. I feel like that's going to be the only way to fight for our rights.
"Let's see how far we can get, if it's going to take players for boycott... Some of the things, I feel like it's really unfair to the players. I think at some point it's going to get to this."
However, the world number one struck a hopeful note about ongoing negotiations.
"I just really hope that all of the negotiation that we are having, we at some point are going to get to the right decision, to the conclusion that everyone will be happy with," she added.
Reuters has contacted the French Tennis Federation for comment.
The U.S. Open offered $90 million last year while Wimbledon paid out 53.5 million pounds ($72.51 million) and the Australian Open a record A$111.5 million ($80.06 million) this year.
GAUFF SAYS PLAYERS MUST FORM UNION
World number four Gauff said she could "100% see" players boycotting a Grand Slam if they took the decision together as one.
"It's not about me. It's about the future of our sport and also the current players who aren't getting as much benefits, maybe, as even some of the top players are getting when it comes to sponsorship and things like that," Gauff said.
"We're making money off court. When you look at the (players ranked) 50 to 100, 50 to 200, how much money each Slam makes, it's kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living paycheck to paycheck."
Gauff also suggested the players must form a union, highlighting how the WNBA basketball players' union reached a tentative agreement on a collective bargaining deal earlier this year after nearly 17 months of negotiations.
"Just taking what the WNBA accomplished. They also have a union, so I think that helps," she added.
"From the things I've seen with other sports, usually to make massive progress and things like this, it takes a union."
Sabalenka said the players deserved more prize money.
"When you see the number and you see the amount the players are receiving... I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us there wouldn't be a tournament and there wouldn't be that entertainment," Sabalenka added.
"I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage. What can I say?"
—Reuters
