Thursday, May 28Thursday, May 28Novak Djokovic skips French Open media protest as player revolt over prize money intensifies
Tennis’s simmering dispute over revenue sharing erupted at Roland Garros on Friday, with top players staging a partial media boycott to demand higher prize money—though Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, conspicuously declined to join the action. The protest, led by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, targeted the Grand Slams’ refusal to increase player earnings beyond 15% of total revenues, a figure players call "derisory" amid soaring tournament profits.
Djokovic, a vocal advocate for player rights in the past, broke ranks by attending his pre-tournament press conference, warning that the sport risked "deeper divisions" if the standoff persisted. "We need dialogue, not confrontation," he said, according to *France24* . His absence from the boycott underscored fractures within the ATP and WTA tours, where lower-ranked players—some earning less than €50,000 annually—have grown increasingly vocal.
The protest, timed to coincide with the French Open’s opening weekend, saw stars like Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff skip mandatory media sessions, though organizers insisted the tournament would proceed unaffected. Sabalenka framed the action as a fight for "the players who are suffering," not the elite, telling *The Guardian* that "15% is not enough to live on" for those outside the top 100 . The Grand Slams, which generate over €500 million annually, have yet to respond formally, but insiders suggest a compromise is unlikely before Wimbledon.
Background and stakes The dispute dates to 2025, when players first demanded a 25% revenue share, citing the financial strain of travel, coaching, and medical costs. The Grand Slams countered that prize money had risen 12% year-on-year since 2020, but players argue this fails to match inflation or the tournaments’ record profits. With Djokovic’s withdrawal from the protest, the movement’s momentum now hinges on whether mid-tier players—who lack the financial cushion of stars like Sinner or Gauff—will escalate actions during the tournament.
The French Open, which begins Sunday, remains the focal point. Djokovic, seeded No. 1 in the men’s draw, enters as the favorite to claim a record 25th Slam title, though his silence on the boycott has drawn criticism from peers. Meanwhile, Spain’s Rafael Jodar, a 19-year-old phenom, will make his seeded debut after a meteoric rise, adding a generational subplot to the tournament’s off-court drama . As the sport’s financial fault lines widen, the outcome in Paris could set the tone for negotiations ahead of the US Open.
Pelés third, Baggios miss and the Hand of God: Iconic World Cups in Mexico and the US From Pelés third title to Maradonas legendary double and Baggios agonising penalty miss, tournaments hosted in Mexico and the US have left us with some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history. Heres a throwback to the 1970, 1986 and 1994 editions.
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theguardian · 6 days ago
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