While top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Świątek have issued a joint statement criticizing the French Open’s revenue-sharing model, Elena Rybakina stands out as a notable exception. The world No. 2 has opened up about why she did not join her WTA peers and ATP stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the high-profile protest.
Elena Rybakina Reveals She Was Left in the Dark About the French Open Dispute
As top players gear up for their campaigns at the Italian Open, all the spotlight has been on their conflict with the French Open. Although the 2026 prize money has increased 9.53% compared to last year, bringing the total pool to €61.723 million, players remain dissatisfied, with Aryna Sabalenka even threatening a boycott. The tension is part of a broader conflict between the players and the Grand Slams over prize money and the level of support they receive.
During her pre-tournament press conference in Rome, Elena Rybakina was asked about her involvement in the prize money dispute, but she made it clear that the issue is not on her radar at all. The Kazakh revealed that neither her fellow players, the players’ council, nor the WTA had reached out to her, which ruled out her participation in the coordinated effort.
“No, I’m not participating. No one came to me to talk about it, not from the WTA, not from the players council, not other players. It’s not on my mind at all,” Rybakina said.
MORE: Aryna Sabalenka Threatens Boycott As Iga Świątek Makes Feelings Clear on Conflict With French Open
The world No. 2 also weighed in on Sabalenka’s boycott suggestion, pointing out that players have never collectively followed through when opportunities have arisen in the past. Nevertheless, she said she was open to joining a boycott if a majority of players chose to do so.
“Well, it’s a tough question because we had so many things in the past where players could come together and boycott, but it never happened. I honestly don’t know,” she said. “If the majority say we are boycotting, we are not playing, then of course I’m up for it. It’s not an issue.”
Rybakina further emphasized that prize money at the Grand Slams is not the only concern for players, pointing to the heavy tax burden as another issue.
“I feel like the improvement we need to have, it’s not only on the Grand Slams and it’s not only about raising the prize money. A lot of people are not aware that there is taxes which are big. You even make more prize money, but you giving it all to the taxes. It’s a different topic. It’s tough to say about boycotting. As I said many years we had different issues. For now not once players really came together and did any changes,” she added.
Following a first-round bye, No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina will take on Maria Sakkari or Lilli Tagger in her opening match at the Italian Open. Coming off a fourth-round exit at the Madrid Open, the Kazakh will look to make a deeper run at the WTA 1000 event in Rome to build momentum ahead of the French Open.