Madison Keys sheds new light on tennis players' potential Grand Slam boycott as pay debate continues before French Open

WTA world No. 19 and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys has spoken out after several tennis stars suggested they may boycott tournaments if the ongoing prize money debate is not resolved.

With the French Open just days away, the debate around prize money continues, after several top players – including Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner – released a joint statement on the issue.

This came after French Open organisers announced a 9.5 per cent increase in prize money, taking the total to £52.6 million, with each men’s and women’s singles champion receiving £2.4 million.

Players still believe the amount should be higher relative to the revenue generated by the four majors – the US Open, Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

Part of the statement read: “With estimated revenues of more than €400m for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be below 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 set to post record revenues, players are receiving a declining share of the value they help create.”

Sabalenka's pay debate stance

Meanwhile, world No. 1 Sabalenka has also spoken out on the pay debate, making it clear she believes players “deserve to be paid more”, which she thinks will, at some point, lead to a boycott.

“I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights,” she said.

Coco Gauff appeared to agree with her fellow players’ calls, with the American focusing on those who do not earn as much as the top-ranked stars.

“It’s not about me,” she said.

“It’s about the future of our sport and also the current players who aren’t getting as many benefits, maybe, as even some of the top players are getting when it comes to sponsorship and things like that.

“We’re making money off court.

“When you look at the [players ranked] 50 to 100, 50 to 200, and how much money each Slam makes, it’s kind of unfortunate that the 200 best tennis players are living paycheque to paycheque.”

Keys joins calls for Grand Slam boycott

Now, her compatriot Keys has waded in and appears to back the calls for a boycott.

Speaking to Eurosport France, the 31-year-old said: “I think it’s very important that players have more of a voice when major decisions affecting them are being made. For many years, players have tried to sit down and have a discussion with the Grand Slam organisers. It hasn’t led to much.

“Now a large number of players have come together and agreed that if a boycott is necessary, then we will boycott. I hope it doesn’t come to that,” she continued.

“But it’s great to see so many players, especially the younger ones, so eager to fight for all players.

“I think it’s one of those things that gets talked about until it actually happens. I’m also ready [to boycott], and I feel like it’s something a lot of players are willing to do. Seeing so many people willing to go that far on behalf of all players, I find that inspiring.”

The French Open begins on May 24.