If Roland Garros Relents on Revenue Sharing, What Does it Mean for the Players?

The fight between the players and the Grand Slams over prize money continues.

Today it was announced that Roland Garros has become the first of the four majors to offer players a share of the tournament’s revenue. According to The Guardian, the French Open made the proposal to player representative Larry Scott during meetings at Wimbledon.

The offer stands in contrast to Wimbledon’s position. During the Championships, tournament officials argued that using revenue as the basis for prize money made little sense given the All England Club’s not-for-profit structure. Wimbledon reinvests 90 percent of its tournament profits into the LTA to fund tennis infrastructure and grassroots development.

That may make sense in Britain, but what does it do for the sport as a whole—or for players outside the Grand Slam nations who are looking for more opportunities to earn a living from the sport?

Wimbledon also argued that a revenue-sharing model would fail to account for the significant capital investments required as the tournament continues to expand its grounds and improve the fan experience.

Roland Garros’ willingness to share revenue could make it much harder for the other three Grand Slams to continue resisting the idea.

The players are seeking an immediate 16 percent share of tournament revenues, with that figure rising to 22 percent by 2030.

The US Open will now begin to feel the pressure, with the final major of the year on the horizon and new USTA CEO Craig Tiley entering his first week at the helm. The USTA is eager to continue growing Fan Week, highlighted by what it hopes will be a star-studded mixed doubles event. Meanwhile, players have reportedly begun using the mixed doubles competition as leverage, with some of the sport’s biggest names threatening to skip the event if their demands are not met.

If the USTA matches the 20 percent prize money increase it introduced in 2025, total prize money would surpass $100 million for the first time. But will that be enough to satisfy the players?

Some estimates project US Open revenue could climb as high as $700 million, though $600 million appears to be a more realistic figure considering the tournament reported $559.7 million in revenue last year.

If revenues reach $600 million, a $100 million prize fund would represent roughly 16.7 percent—almost exactly what the players are seeking in the short term.

Prize money, however, is only part of the discussion. The players are also pushing for improved pension benefits, expanded health care, and a greater voice in the governance of the Grand Slams through the creation of a Grand Slam Player Council.

Craig Tiley, along with USTA chairman Brian Vahaly and US Open Tournament Director Eric Butorac, has plenty on his plate—with just 39 days remaining until the first ball of qualifying is struck in Flushing Meadows on August 24.

Stay tuned.