Jasmine Paolini, reigning champion of the Rome Open, joins the pressure led by Aryna Sabalenka for a revolution in the Grand Slams. As the Roland Garros approaches, the issue of prize money distribution is exploding in both the men’s and women’s circuits, with stars denouncing the glaring discrepancy between tournament profits and the share received by athletes.
Despite a recent increase of nearly 9% in the prize money for Roland Garros, the top figures in world tennis remain dissatisfied. Compared to other elite sports, where athletes receive up to nearly 50% of the revenues, tennis players receive around 15%, a figure that ignites discontent among players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, Iga Swiatek, and, of course, Aryna Sabalenka.
In an explosive scenario, Sabalenka did not hesitate to address the possibility of a joint boycott of the Grand Slams, a drastic measure that is starting to gain traction among players to push for real changes. “Let’s see how far we can go. If a boycott is needed for us to be heard, I feel that the girls today can easily come together and move forward with that, because some things are really unfair to the players,” said the world number one.
Italian Jasmine Paolini, who recently won the Rome Open, confirmed her alignment with this cause. In a press conference, Paolini emphasized that the claim goes far beyond the increase in prize money, including essential supports such as pensions and maternity, areas neglected by the Grand Slams.
“It’s a hot topic. We are fighting for a fairer agreement for players that includes pensions, maternity, and other important issues. At the moment, the Grand Slams are not participating in these negotiations as they should. The WTA and the ATP are involved, but they are not, and that’s where we want to change things,” explained the player who became the first Italian to win the tournament in 40 years, since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.
Paolini also highlights the unity between men and women in this movement: “The positive thing is that we are all united and rowing in the same direction. The Grand Slams slightly increase the prize money, but not in proportion to their earnings. And, more importantly, they do not contribute to pensions or maternity support, something I consider crucial.”
As for the possibility of a boycott, the Italian does not rule out that option: “If we all agree – and we do – and remain united, both men and women, it could be something achievable.”
Despite the fight off the court, Paolini’s attention is focused on her performance at the Rome Open, where she defends the title she won against Coco Gauff in 2025. The season so far has been unstable, with only one win and two losses on clay, but the Italian player remains focused on the present.
“I’m not thinking about that much at the moment. Coming back here feels great, I have many memories from last year, since the first day I played for the club. Lots of emotions and good memories. I hope to bring a lot of positive energy,” confessed the 30-year-old player.
In her debut, Paolini faces French player Leolia Jeanjean, who arrives in form after three consecutive victories, including the surprising elimination of seeded player Beatriz Haddad Maia. “What I did last year is behind me. This is a new edition of the tournament. I am focused on the first match, which is the most important. I want to play well and have a good attitude,” she concluded.
The circuit is in turmoil, and Paolini’s voice joins a growing wave that could forever change the landscape of the Grand Slams, placing players at the center of negotiations and demanding fairness in a world where tennis continues to generate millions, but without sharing the pie equitably. Time will tell if this nascent union translates into a historic boycott or a radical overhaul of the system. One thing is certain: players are fed up with being ignored.
This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).
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