French Open Boosts Prize Money and Addresses Player Privacy Ahead of 2023 Tournament

French Open Boosts Prize Money and Addresses Player Privacy Ahead of 2023 Tournament

The French Open is gearing up for its start on Sunday, 24 May, at Roland Garros in western Paris, unveiling a 10% increase in prize money, totaling 61.7 million euros (£53.7 million). This marks a 5.3 million euro (£4.6 million) rise from last year. Prize distribution includes: Champions (men's and women's singles): 2.8 million euros (£2.4 million) each Runners-up: 1.4 million euros (£1.2 million) Semi-finalists: 750,000 euros (£652,000) First-round exits: 87,000 euros (£76,000) Doubles winners: 600,000 euros (£522,000) Mixed doubles champions: 122,000 euros (£106,000) Last year's champions, Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff, are set to return, with the tournament introducing an opening ceremony and allowing players to wear data-collecting devices to monitor performance. Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo emphasized the importance of player privacy, addressing concerns raised by Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff during the Australian Open, stating, "Players need a private area, something which will not change." While embracing innovation, the French Open will not implement the "1 Point Slam" format from the Australian Open, nor will it adopt electronic line-calling systems. Mauresmo expressed openness to discussions about women playing five-set matches, reflecting on her own experiences as a player. In response to scheduling criticisms, Mauresmo confirmed that the men’s doubles final will take place before the women’s singles final this year. Fans can enjoy a "Jardin des Chefs" featuring French cuisine, and a big screen at Concorde Square will show matches for free. The tournament will honor retiring veterans Gaël Monfils and Stan Wawrinka, while the French Tennis Federation plans to invest in more clay courts to enhance the Roland Garros experience.

Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-16