Elena Rybakina has made it clear she is not involved in the growing player protests over prize money, stating that the tennis community lacks cohesion when it comes to taking collective action.
During a press conference ahead of the Rome Open, the world number two was asked about the ongoing dispute over tournament compensation. Rybakina admitted she had not participated in any protest and had not even considered the matter. “I haven’t been involved in this protest. The WTA, the Player Council, and other players have never spoken to me about it. I simply haven’t given it any thought,” she said.
When asked about Aryna Sabalenka’s suggestion of a potential boycott of the French Open, Rybakina offered a realistic and cautious perspective. “In previous tournaments, players had many chances to join together and boycott, but it never actually happened. That’s the reality. I can’t predict the outcome,” she said. However, she did not completely rule out the possibility of a boycott, stating she would follow the majority if a consensus were reached. “If the majority agrees and decides to boycott, I will of course go along with it. That’s not a problem.”
Rybakina also highlighted that prize money is not the only financial issue for players, pointing to significant tax burdens. “We need improvements across the board, not just higher prize money at Grand Slams. People don’t realize how heavy our tax burden is. Even if prize money goes up, a large portion of it gets eaten up by taxes. That’s another real challenge. A boycott is not easy. Over the years, many issues have surfaced, but players have never truly united to push for change.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka has voiced the deep frustration among top players, who feel their legitimate concerns are being ignored by tournament organizers. The Belarusian player stated bluntly at the Rome Open press conference, “I think it’s only a matter of time before players decide to boycott the French Open.”
Despite a 9.53% increase in the French Open prize pool—totaling $72.3 million—player dissatisfaction remains high. Sabalenka’s threat of a boycott only intensifies the standoff. The core issue is a fundamental divide between players and the four Grand Slam organizers over revenue distribution and support systems.
The unrest in women’s tennis mirrors similar tensions on the men’s side. Novak Djokovic has repeatedly called for men’s players to unite and take collective action. The ATP Tour schedule has been heavily criticized for being overly packed, with too many mandatory events leading to physical strain and inadequate recovery time. Top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev have long complained about the schedule, while Djokovic has taken aim at the players themselves.
Djokovic acknowledges players have legitimate grievances but criticizes their lack of participation in key decision-making. “I am always on the players’ side, but when it comes to crucial negotiations and rule-making, most players choose to stay away. There’s not enough active involvement. Simply venting emotions is useless. They need to actively engage in communication and involve themselves in tournament governance.”
As the French Open approaches, the division among women’s players and the scheduling friction in men’s tennis are both escalating. The outcome of the prize money dispute and whether players will follow through on boycott threats remain to be seen.
