Jannik Sinner to take part in unprecedented French Open protest

World number one and four-times major winner Jannik Sinner will join more than 20 of ennis' biggest stars in an unprecedented walkout during the French Open.

Sinner, who leads the charge for another grand slam win following the long-term injury to Carlos Alcaraz, has been part of a group of players who have been protesting over prize money allocation.

The group, also consisting of Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, has been at odds with all four grand slams for the last 12 months and has taken the stance that enough is enough.

Now, with their prize money continuing to leave the athletes shortchanged, in their belief, the players are planning a walkout during the French Open press conferences.

Jannik Sinner among 20 players who will stage a French Open walkout

The ongoing issue is rooted in the fact that the players only earn 15 per cent of the revenue generated at the grand slams. This was increased for the French Open, which will see £52.6 million set aside for the competitors, with £2.4 million of that going to the respective men’s and women’s singles champions.

While that prize money seems to be a large sum, especially for Sinner, who smashed six lucrative circuit records in his most recent win in Italy.

However, the players feel that they deserve more from the sport that they champion.

In protest, the players will now walk out of their press conferences after 15 minutes, as part of a 'work-to-rule strategy.'

The exemption from media activities is reportedly legal in the tournament handbooks, as the players are only contracted to 'short flash interviews', with press conferences being a luxury for media partners.

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According to The Guardian, the goal is to show the tournament organisers how much they are worth for the product, and open talks into increasing revenues, enhanced welfare, pension provisions, and tournament scheduling.

The group believes that a good compromise would be for them to receive 22 per cent of the revenue in prize money.

Sinner previously revealed that a boycott would be too extreme, although women's number one Aryna Sabalenka disagreed and claimed that ditching the tournaments entirely is the 'only way to fight for our rights.'

"I think we give much more than what we are getting back. It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us players," Sinner said in Rome earlier this month.

"I also believe that we need to start somewhere. I understand other players not playing. But, yeah, let’s see. I can see from all the press conferences that I’m definitely not the only one.

"It’s the first time that I feel like the players are all in the same position and share the same point of view."

The French Open protest is set to take place on May 21.