Jannik Sinner and other top tennis players are limiting post-match media appearances to 15 minutes at the 2026 French Open in a coordinated show of dissatisfaction with Grand Slam organizers.
Sinner, speaking after his match, said the action aims to secure greater respect, faster responses on key issues, and a stronger voice for players who feel underappreciated despite generating the events' revenue.
Jannik Sinner leads top stars in Media Protest at French Open
The Italian star explained that the move is not directed against journalists but represents players asserting their position after over a year without meaningful responses from tournaments. He said:
"We waited 1 year to have a small response.”
The World No. 1 highlighted demands beyond prize money, including improved pension schemes for post-career security and greater input on scheduling decisions, such as start days for the majors. Sinner noted strong unity among players and indicated they will monitor reactions from Roland Garros and other Grand Slams before deciding on next steps. He said:
“You know, I think here we’re trying to start something now. But again, nothing against you. We're here to do our obligations.”
Sinner added:
“At the same time, we're not only talking about prize money. We're also talking about pension, which is a very important topic, because after you're a tennis player, hopefully we get some pension money.”
The protest reflects growing tensions in professional tennis over player welfare, scheduling pressures, and the balance of power between athletes and tournament bodies. While the current action is a measured 15-minute limit rather than a full boycott, Sinner suggested collective player strength could lead to more significant measures if their concerns continue to be sidelined.
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