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While the top tennis players have been boycotting long media presence and limiting it to 15 minutes at the French Open 2026, this Russian-born Austrian player is not going ahead with a similar idea.
Anastasia Potapova has broken ranks with top tennis stars by criticizing their coordinated media protest at Roland Garros 2026, calling the action "nonsense."
Potapova, preparing for the Roland Garros, rejected the players' decision to limit pre-tournament interviews to 15 minutes, a symbolic gesture representing the roughly 15% revenue share they receive from Grand Slams, compared to about 22% on the main ATP and WTA tours.
Anastasia Potapova calls out Top tennis players French Open media protest
In comments to Roland Garros Press, Popatova expressed her thoughts on it and stated:
“Media guys have nothing to do with our prize money. You don’t pay us, right? So how can we boycott somebody who’s also getting paid from the same tournament? ... I think, for me, it’s a little bit nonsense. I’m not really into this. Here I am and talking to you as much as I want.”
World No. 1s Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, along with Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff, led the protest on Media Day, conducting only mandatory duties before cutting sessions short. Earlier, Sinner had stated that the boycott is not for the journalists.
The action highlights ongoing demands for a larger slice of record Grand Slam payouts, including Roland Garros' €61.7 million prize fund this year. Organizers have since agreed to post-tournament discussions on the issue.
ALSO READ: Watch: Novak Djokovic overcomes first-round scare at Roland Garros 2026; celebrates with playful dance
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