Several big names have criticised the prize money on offer at Grand Slams, and some have suggested they would be willing to boycott a major tournament.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she would boycott a Grand Slam, as did Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic.
Is a French Open boycott realistic?
Players aren't happy with the prize money on offer…
Others weren’t so keen, including Emma Raducanu, who insisted she wouldn’t be a part of a boycott.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev has now revealed whether players have been talking about skipping a major tournament.
Alexander Zverev says players ‘haven’t spoken about boycotting’ Grand Slams
“I don’t know. We haven’t spoken about boycotting,” said Zverev during a press conference in Rome.
“I think it’s a general thing. If you see the revenue share, you see other sports, it’s very, very close to 50/50, a lot of other sports, but we are at 15% for both women and men.
“That’s something that I think is just frustrating to us players.
“It’s not the top guys.
“Jannik [Sinner] makes good money.
“Carlos [Alcaraz] makes good money.
“I make good money.
“I think right now, probably 150 players can live from tennis on the male side and probably even less on the women’s side.”
2026 Prize money list (ATP Tour)
- 1. Jannik Sinner – $5,540,127
- 2. Carlos Alcaraz – $4,365,354
- 3. Alexander Zverev – $3,114,124
- 25. Stefanos Tsitsipas – $860,135
- 50. Andrea Vavassori – $536,681
- 100. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard – $294,733
- 150. Mackenzie McDonald – $200,020
- 200. Laslo Djere – $122,497
- 250. Justin Engel – $76,077
- 500. David Jorda Sanchis – $16,849
- 1,000. Tom Zeuch – $3,557
2026 Prize money list (WTA Tour)
- 1. Elena Rybakina – $4,055,262
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka – $4,020,272
- 3. Jessica Pegula – $2,393,343
- 25. Maria Sakkari – $629,669
- 50. Elena-Gabriela Ruse – $448,980
- 100. Anhelina Kalinina – $226,163
- 150. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah – $117,970
- 200. Varvara Lepchenko – $73,435
- 250. Kayla Cross – $47,074
- 500. Lara Salden – $8,042
- 1,000. Ava Rodriguez – $1,416
The 150th best-paid men’s player this year, Mackenzie McDonald, has pocketed $200,020.
Whereas the 150th best-paid women’s player, Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, has earned $117,970.
Zverev was right to point out the pay inequality between men and women, an issue that still needs to be resolved.
The German, like many of his colleagues, believes more players can earn a living from tennis if the Grand Slams share their revenues fairly.
“If we get a fair share and we get closer to other sports, I think many, many more players can make a living from tennis,” said Zverev.
“That’s the main goal for us. That’s the main goal for us to push tennis forward, to make it more profitable for many more players, not only the top hundred players, let’s say.
“I think that is an important subject. I think 15% is just not fair to us players.
“Also, for example, last year’s final, that goes for six hours, myself with Carlos goes for five-and-a-half hours, I think those kinds of matches are worth more than 15%.”
- 2025 French Open final – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner (5hr, 29)
- 2026 Australian Open semi-final – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev (5hr, 27)
Players have requested 22% of the revenue, but are likely to receive less than 15% at Roland Garros next month.
Will Zverev and others boycott the French Open because of it?
Only time will tell.
For now, the German has a job to do in Rome.
Alexander Zverev makes winning start at the Italian Open
Zverev defeated his countryman, Daniel Altmaier, in the second round of the Italian Open.
- Alexander Zverev defeated Daniel Altmaier, 7-5, 6-3
Alexander Zverev vs Daniel Altmaier – Match stats
| Stats | Alexander Zverev | Daniel Altmaier |
| Aces | 3 | 3 |
| Double faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 75% | 64% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 70% | 61% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 47% | 50% |
| Break points | 4/5 | 2/8 |
During his on-court interview, Zverev shared his thoughts on the tournament.
“I love this court, I love this crowd, I won my first Masters 1000 event here nine years ago, I love the Italian people and the support they give me,” he said.
“He [Daniel Altmaier] played a fantastic match, I wish him nothing but the best, hope he moves up the rankings soon, but happy to be through.”
Zverev will play either Tallon Griekspoor or Alexander Blockx in the third round on Sunday, May 10.
