The French Open has become the first grand slam tournament to offer players a share of the event’s revenue in a significant step forward in the row over prize money. Officials from Roland Garros made the offer to the players’ representative, Larry Scott, in talks at Wimbledon a fortnight ago in a move that will increase pressure on the US Open, which is due to announce its prize fund for this year’s tournament at the start of next month.
While an agreement has yet to be reached, the French Open’s willingness to commit to a revenue-share model to determine prize money is a major development, and sets Roland Garros apart from the three other grand slam tournaments.
The French Open appears to have taken a different approach, with the commitment to revenue sharing being accompanied by a willingness to contribute to player pensions and healthcare and give the players a greater say in the running of the tournament.
The US Open is under particular pressure as it has had longer to reach an agreement with the players and the tournament next month coincides with the arrival of a new chief executive of the US Tennis Association, Craig Tiley.