Women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has followed her criticism of prize money at the French Open by suggesting players should boycott the grand slams if they don’t start receiving a larger share of tournament revenue.

Sabalenka and fellow No.1 Jannik Sinner were among leading players – most of them ranked in the top 10 – who issued a statement on Monday expressing “deep disappointment” over French Open prize money.

“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage,” Sabalenka said on Tuesday at the Italian Open as she celebrated her 28th birthday.

“I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”

The players are also seeking better representation, health options and pensions from the four grand slam tournaments, which also comprise the Australian and US Opens and Wimbledon.

French Open organisers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by some 10 per cent for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($A100m), with the total amount up 5.3 million euros ($A8.6m) from last year.

But the players’ statement said “the underlying figures tell a very different story”, claiming they would receive a smaller share of tournament revenues.

“Players’ share of Roland Garros tournament revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026,” the players said.

Jasmine Paolini, the Italian who reached the final of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, agreed a boycott could be an option.

“If we’re all in agreement and I think we are – the men and the women are united right now – it’s something we could do,” Paolini said.

Paolini added that the WTA and ATP Tours – which organise all of the other tournaments – have done more than the slams to provide players with benefits, such as maternity leave, and retirement plans.

“There’s a lot of things that the slams are not doing,” Paolini said, “that the WTA and I think the ATP are doing.”

But four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek said, “boycotting the tournament, it’s a bit extreme kind of situation.”

“The most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions. Hopefully before Roland Garros there’s going to be opportunity to have these type of meetings.”

The Australian Open this year increased the players’ compensation by 16 per cent, and the US Open prize money last year went up by 20 per cent.

French Open organisers did not respond to a request for comment after the players issued their statement.