Sabalenka hints at boycotting Grand Slams: "At some point, maybe, we will do it"

Carlos Navarro | 5 May 2026 | 17.09

Could there be a boycott of the Slams? Watch out for what Sabalenka says. Source: Getty.

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The doors were opened and the fuse was lit. Days of very high tension are being experienced, as we warned, within the tennis ecosystem: players are not happy at all with the prize money distribution at Roland Garros 2026, which accounts for just 14% of the tournament's earnings, and they are starting to exert increasing pressure on the Grand Slams, aware that they are not seeing the true amount of money they generate through their presence in these events. This widespread discontent was expressed by Aryna Sabalenka in the preview of WTA Roma 2026... in very strong terms.

It had been a while since we had seen such strong words from someone of the status of the Belarusian, the current top star and number one on the women's circuit. A term like boycott, always put forward as a utopian idea and something very hard to conceive in tennis, a very individualistic sport where players look out for their own well-being and safety, always seemed destined to fail... but now, it seems to take on a new dimension based on the discussions that a large part of the circuit's elite is actively having with the Grand Slams. The anger, verbalized by Aryna, is not to be underestimated... and calls for a possible future action.

Sabalenka calls for a possible boycott of the Grand Slams following the latest news about discontent on the circuit

- Discussing the prize money talks at Roland Garros and the possibility of a boycott

"When you realize the numbers they generate and see what the players receive... I believe it's us who put on the show. I feel that without us, there would be no tournament, no entertainment. I think, without a doubt, we deserve to be paid a higher percentage. What can I say? I just hope that all the negotiations we are having will eventually lead to the right decision, the conclusion that will make everyone happy. I think at some point, perhaps, we will boycott the Grand Slams, yes. I feel it's the only way we have to fight for our rights, there is no other way."

- The extent or importance of her opinion in the conversation about the current earnings of players

"I'm trying not to overthink it because right now we are giving our best, doing what we can. We'll see how far we can go, whether it would be necessary for the players to reach a boycott. Nowadays, I believe we, the ladies, can come together, stand together, and fight for all of this because we are seeing things that are very unfair to the players. At some point, we will come to this, I believe."

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This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka se abre a boicotear los Grand Slams: "En algún momento, quizás, lo haremos"