French Open players plan media protest over prize money share

PARIS, May 21 (AP): Players at the French Open are planning to reduce media appearances ahead of the start of the Grand Slam to complain about their share of the prize money.

A group have already targeted the upcoming clay-court tournament for reducing players' share of revenue to an alleged 14.3 per cent compared to 22 per cent at other ATP and WTA events.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No.4 Coco Gauff were among leading players who threatened a boycott of the Slams earlier this month if they don't start receiving more compensation.

L'Equipe newspaper reported Wednesday that many players competing at Roland Garros, which begins Sunday, are planning to limit their conversations with reporters to 15 minutes during Friday's traditional pre-tournament media day.

The French tennis federation (FFT), which organizes the French Open,

said in a statement to The Associated Press that it regrets the players' initiative "which penalizes all stakeholders involved in the tournament: the media, broadcasters, federation staff and the

entire tennis community that enthusiastically follows each edition of Roland Garros."

Sabalenka and fellow No. 1 Jannik Sinner were among leading players -- most of them ranked in the top 10 -- who earlier

this month issued a statement expressing "deep disappointment" over French Open prize money.