PARIS — Rising tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff reportedly made three key demands during a high-profile meeting with Grand Slam officials ahead of the 2024 French Open, according to insider sources. The discussions, which took place in Paris this week, focused on player welfare, tournament scheduling, and prize money distribution.
Sinner, the newly crowned Australian Open champion, and Gauff, the reigning US Open winner, were among a select group of players invited to voice concerns directly to tournament organizers. The meeting comes amid growing tensions between players and Grand Slam executives over workload management and financial equity in the sport.
Demand #1: Revised Scheduling for Player Recovery
The first demand centered on match scheduling, particularly the strain of back-to-back night sessions followed by early day matches. "Players are not machines," Sinner was quoted as saying during the talks. "We need at least 24 hours between matches, especially after late finishes."
Gauff echoed the sentiment, citing her own experience at last year’s US Open, where she played until nearly 1 a.m. before returning for a noon match the next day. The pair proposed:
- A mandatory 18-hour minimum rest period between matches
- No night matches starting after 9 p.m. unless approved by both players
- Earlier start times for junior and doubles matches to avoid late finishes
Demand #2: Increased Prize Money for Early Rounds
The second demand addressed the financial disparity between early-round losers and top-seeded players. While Grand Slam champions earn millions, first-round exits often leave lower-ranked players struggling to cover travel and coaching costs.
"The gap is too big," Gauff argued. "Players ranked outside the top 50 deserve a fairer share. Without them, there is no tournament." The proposed changes included:
- A 20% increase in first-round prize money
- Performance bonuses for players who defeat seeded opponents
- Travel stipends for qualifiers and wildcards
Demand #3: Improved On-Site Player Facilities
The third demand focused on improving player amenities, particularly at Roland Garros, where cramped locker rooms and limited practice courts have been long-standing complaints. Sinner reportedly highlighted the contrast with other sports:
"In football, players have state-of-the-art recovery centers. Here, we’re sharing ice baths and waiting in line for physios. It’s 2024—we need better."
Gauff added that female players often face additional challenges, such as inadequate childcare facilities. Their proposals included:
- Expanded recovery zones with cryotherapy and massage stations
- Dedicated practice courts for lower-ranked players
- On-site childcare and family lounges
Tournament Officials Respond
French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo acknowledged the concerns but stopped short of committing to immediate changes. In a statement, she said:
"We appreciate the feedback from Jannik and Coco, who represent the future of our sport. While some adjustments may take time, we are committed to ongoing dialogue with players to improve their experience."
Other Grand Slam representatives, including Wimbledon’s Sally Bolton and the US Open’s Stacey Allaster, were also present. Sources indicate that while prize money discussions may progress quickly, scheduling changes face logistical hurdles due to TV broadcast contracts.
Player Reactions Mixed
Reactions from fellow players have been divided. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic praised the initiative, calling it "a necessary step forward." Meanwhile, some veterans questioned the timing, with one unnamed top-10 player remarking, "We dealt with worse in our day—they should toughen up."
The meeting marks a rare instance of younger players taking a leadership role in negotiations. With Sinner, 22, and Gauff, 20, emerging as faces of the sport, their influence could reshape how tournaments address player concerns in the coming years.
As the French Open approaches, all eyes will be on whether organizers implement any of the proposed changes—or if players escalate their demands further. For now, Sinner and Gauff have made it clear: the next generation expects a seat at the table.