Overview
- Sabalenka stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier on Tuesday wearing designer pieces supplied by Material Good with a reported combined value in the six figures and won her opening match 6-4, 6-2.
- The appearance followed a coordinated player media protest that limited press duties to 15 minutes to press for a higher prize‑money share and Sabalenka cut short her own press conference as part of that action.
- Players and WTA leadership are pressing Roland Garros for a 22 percent share of tournament income, a demand that would add roughly £25 million to the prize pot and which the French Tennis Federation is preparing a counter‑proposal on.
- Critics highlighted an optics gap between high‑earning stars' sponsorship income and calls for more pay for lower‑ranked players, a point Sabalenka rejected by saying her advocacy is separate from her commercial work.
- Grand Slam rules allow jewellery if players present professionally and the dispute underscores how sponsorship deals and prize‑money distribution shape livelihoods for players outside the top tiers.