The group of top-20 players collectively deciding to limit their media commitments is the latest step in a long-running dispute.

The players held an initial meeting with the Grand Slams last year and further talks have taken place since,but there has not been as much progress as the players would have liked.

The key issues the players want to change are:

The group has asked the Slams to pay 22% of their revenue in prize money by 2030, arguing the 15% the French Open is offering is inadequate.

This year’s Roland Garros prize money has increased by 9.5%, but the annual increase was 20% at last year’s US Open and nearly 16% at January’s Australian Open.

French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said she was “very sad” about the action taken by the players but remained “deeply confident” the issue will be resolved.

Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation (FFT) president Gilles Moretton are due to meet with former WTA chairman Larry Scott – who represents the players in the dispute – on Friday.

The participating players would not be drawn on whether a boycott of the majors could be their next course of action.

“I don’t know if I want to start throwing around the ‘b-word’,” American world number eight Taylor Fritz said.

“I don’t think we should really make big threats like that unless we’re fully ready to do it.

“But if it gets to a point where something does have to change if we are ignored, that’s a conversation to have.”

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to sign Germany forward Shekiera Martinez from West Ham.

The 24-year-old will join Spurs when the summer transfer window opens in June, having impressed during her time in the Women’s Super League.

West Ham will likely see Martinez’s departure as a big loss, with the young forward scoring six WSL goals in 2025-26 and earning a first call-up to the Germany squad in October.

Martinez said: “I’m delighted to be a Spurs player. This is the perfect next step for my career and also for me to improve as a player.

“The club has a really good squad and a good idea of how they want to play.”

Tottenham manager Martin Ho said the club had tracked Martinez over a long period and described her as a player capable of making a major impact.

“She is a forward with real presence, intelligent movement and a strong instinct in the box,” he said.

“Shekiera has the talent, the ambition and the mentality to become an important player for Spurs.”

Martinez began her career in Germany and joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 2016, where she made more than 100 appearances and featured in the Women’s Champions League.

She joined West Ham in 2024 before going out on loan to Freiburg.

After returning from that loan she delivered an impressive spell with the Hammers, scoring 10 league goals in 12 appearances during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.

She made her senior international debut in the Women’s Nations League final against Spain in November and now has four caps.

Roberto De Zerbi says “not all leaders are the same” after being quizzed on captain Cristian Romero’s decision to fly to Argentina instead of attending Tottenham’s game against Everton with their Premier League survival at stake.

Spurs are 17th in the table, two points ahead of West Ham with a superior goal difference, ahead of hosting the Toffees on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Reports have since emerged that Romero, who was not present for the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, would not be in attendance after flying to Argentina to watch boyhood club Belgrano face River Plate in a title decider on Sunday instead.

When asked about the situation ahead of facing Everton, De Zerbi said: “Sometimes, not all the leaders are the same. Ben Davies spoke with me and asked to stay today to work with us. Tomorrow, we sleep in the hotel.

“He wanted to stay with the team and team-mates. Romero is preparing for the World Cup with an injury. For me, nothing changed.

“Then we have to think, everything is for the best future of Tottenham.”

Romero has been sidelined since April with a knee injury and has been ruled out for the season.

De Zerbi was then quizzed on how the decision to allow Romero to leave the country was reached: “He spoke with the medical staff. Together, they decided to go to Argentina to complete rehab with Argentinian medical staff.

“We spoke last week. With me, he has shown he wants to stay with us. I want to be clear, I am not stupid. If I understand that there is a player who thinks for himself before the club, I cannot be the same Roberto.

“With Romero, I can’t say nothing. With me, in my time, he has been correct at the beginning until now.”

De Zerbi understands Romero criticism but unsure on future

Romero has received widespread criticism from the fanbase for the decision to leave the country while the club is in such a perilous position.

“100 per cent I understand,” De Zerbi continued when frustration from supporters was raised in the press conference.

“I don’t know. Cristian is a top player and with me, he was a top guy. When I say top guy, it is because I am certain what I am seeing.”

The Argentina defender has regularly been linked with a move away from the club since his arrival in 2022 but signed a new contract, committing his future until 2029, last August following the Europa League victory against Manchester United in Bilbao.

Has Romero played his last game for Spurs?

The latest strain on the relationship between the captain and fanbase has led to doubts emerging regarding his future as we approach the summer transfer window.

“For the future, I don’t know,” De Zerbi said on whether Romero had played his final game for the club “It is a crucial game for a fans and our club. I don’t want answers on Romero.

“My focus is on Djed Spence, Kolo Muani and Richarlison [and more]. We have to play with blood, character and spirit because it is a final.

“They played a great final last season and they won a trophy. Maybe there was a bonus. After tomorrow, there is not a trophy or a bonus, there is something more important, the future and the history of the club. The pride of the players and the dignity of everyone of us.

“For that, I can’t lose energy thinking of the next season. I will repeat, I am not stupid.”