The prize money for the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros has been revealed after Alexander Zverev finally claimed his first Grand Slam title by beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli to win a tense final in five sets.

The 29-year-old German won the men’s competition 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7, (5-7), 6-1 over 10th-seed Cobolli in Paris on Sunday, while Russia’s 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva also won her first Grand Slam title on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday. In her fourth appearance at Roland Garros, Andreeva beat Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2.

Alexander Zverev Finally Ends Grand Slam Drought

Zverev won his maiden Grand Slam title after losing his three previous appearances in finals. He took the first set with authority before Cobolli battled to even the match at a set apiece.

The German became the favourite after Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic exited following the first week’s heatwave, and he seized the lead again by taking the third set.

In a dramatic fourth, Zverev made a number of double faults which eventually led to Cobolli securing the set. In the fifth, though, he managed to pull away and secure the title as the Italian seemed to run out of steam.

“This court is so special to me in so many ways. I’ve had the best moments of my life on this court. I had the worst moment of my life on these courts,” Zverev said.

Zverev is the first German male to win a Grand Slam singles title since Boris Becker.

Carlos Alcaraz missed the tournament through injury and Djokovic was stunned in the third round by Brazil’s Joao Fonseca. Sinner, meanwhile, was also stunned in five sets in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

French Open 2026 Prize Money

The total prize money at the French Open increased 9.53% this year, reaching a record €61,723,000.

Both the men’s and women’s singles champions have secured $3,272,137 (£2,416,908), a 9.8% rise compared with the payouts awarded to last year’s winners. The runner-ups earned themselves $1,636,068 (£1,208,454), while the semi-finalists received $876,465 (£647,386) and the quarter-finalists got $549,251 (£405,695).

First-round losers’ payouts also rose 11.5% to $101,670 (£75,097), while reaching the second round secured $151,921 (£112,214).

“The tournament has decided to continue supporting the qualifying rounds, to help the players who need it most to finance their season and maintain their structure. The total prize money for the qualifying event has been increased by 12.9%. The prize money for the main draw is up 10.1% compared with 2025,” the French Tennis Federation said.

Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said more than 727,000 people came through the gates of the stadium over the course of the event, which is a new record.

“This year, we were truly challenged, whether by the weather or by scheduling constraints. But everyone pulled together, showed great solidarity, and delivered an edition that lived up to our expectations,” she said.

A member of England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ has explained why he didn’t sing the national anthem during his playing career.

The topic of singing the national anthem has been a contentious talking point since Gareth Southgate’s departure as England manager in 2024.

Former England interim manager Lee Carsley explained why he chose not to sing God Save The King back in September 2024, while current boss Thomas Tuchel followed suit after his appointment one month later.

The German tactician insisted “I have to earn my right to sing it” back in March 2025. Tuchel is not expected to change his stance during this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Gary Neville Explains Why He Didn’t Sing National Anthem

One member of England’s Golden Generation – the star-studded squad blessed with world-class players under Sven-Goran Eriksson, who reached three consecutive major tournament quarter-finals between 2002 and 2006 – was former Manchester United captain Gary Neville.

The legendary right-back made 85 appearances for England between 1995-2007 and went on to work as Roy Hodgson’s assistant during the ill-fated period between 2012 and 2016.

Speaking to his former teammate Rio Ferdinand on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Neville explained why he chose not to sing the national anthem as a player.

“I absolutely loved playing for my country,” Neville said. “I know people say at times I didn’t sing the national anthem. It was a mistake, that. I’m stubborn.”

He continued: “The idea of coming out and having to sing broke my routine. It broke my routine and I thought, I can’t, I’ve just got to focus. My first pass, the duel I’m about to encounter, my first tackle, my positioning on the pitch. I’m thinking about the game, and me and Steve McManaman didn’t sing the national anthem in the first game of Euro 96. We didn’t sing it in any of the games.

“But now, when I was a coach for England and now when, for instance, the national anthem’s being sung, I’m singing it. So I would sing it now in the summer when England play in the tournament. So now I see the way in which it’s interpreted, that that’s me not being patriotic.”

Neville went on to highlight various difficulties that he experienced as an England player, including being booed and suffering abuse from fans at the old Wembley.

He also highlighted how his brother Phil was abused after Euro 2000, his best friend David Beckham was vilified after France 98, and his Man Utd teammate Wayne Rooney was also criticised following his red card against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.

“Every time I saw a United player in a tournament get abused, I just dug in a little bit,” Neville added. “Manchester United at that time became a little bit anti-England.

“I felt there was an anti-Manchester United situation with England, but I absolutely loved playing for my country. I never retired from England. I always said I would never retire because if my country need me, I go.”

The world’s most valuable squads in football have been updated with six Premier League teams, including Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, ranking inside the top 10 teams.

England’s top-flight division is arguably seen as the best league in the world; therefore, it’s no surprise to see so many gifted individuals make the switch to the Premier League to further develop their careers. There are many world-class stars who ply their trade in the country, including Rodri, Erling Haaland, and Gianluigi Donnarumma – and that’s just from City.

Unsurprisingly, the Manchester giants feature high up in Transfermarkt’s most valuable squads. Ahead of what is set to be a busy transfer window under Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid find themselves in the top five, while Aston Villa and Newcastle also make the list.

20

Juventus

Squad value – £431.9 million

Juventus have had a tumultuous few years, recovering from a 10-point deduction in 2023 because of the club’s transfer dealings. Despite interest from top teams in Europe for striker Dusan Vlahovic, the club managed to keep hold of the Serbian – for the time being at least.

While stars such as Federico Chiesa have left the club as they look to make as much money as possible on players whose contracts are set to expire soon, the arrivals of Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz have helped the former dominant force in Serie A build a squad worth just under half a billion pounds.

19

RB Leipzig

Squad value – £436.3 million

Despite losing key players Dani Olmo and Mohamed Simakan to Barcelona and Al-Nassr a couple summers ago, the Bundesliga giants somehow find themselves just inside the top 20. Following those departures, RB Leipzig used the funds to sign the likes of Lutsharel Geertruida, Antonio Nusa and young prodigy Assan Ouedraogo. This has only added to their squad value, which is just short of the £440 million mark.

Add those names to the squad that already contained the likes of Peter Gulacsi, David Raum, and Christoph Baumgartner, it’s no surprise to see that the German side are one of just two clubs from the country that feature in the top 20 (no bonus points for guessing the other).

18

Aston Villa

Squad value – £459.6 million

It was a season to remember for Unai Emery’s men as Aston Villa returned to the pantheon of European football thanks to their comfortable Europa League final win over Freiburg. Unai Emery continues to help the club punch above their weight and, although they operate under strict financial constraints, they still boast one of the most valuable squads in world football.

Now, the Villains have dropped back down ever so slightly to 18th, but their hopes of continuing to upset the apple cartle in England, and abroad, will surely see them bump their stock this summer.

17

Crystal Palace

Squad value – £477.7 million

After a shaky midpoint of the season as they came to terms with Marc Guehi leaving and Oliver Glasner announcing he wouldn’t be signing a new deal to remain their boss, Crystal Palace have certainly rediscovered their groove by winning the Europa Conference League upon the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.

A major part of that is due to the role of Adam Wharton and Ismaila, who are, unsurprisingly, among the highest valued players in the squad after stepping up to the plate. As a result of their fantastic performances of late, the Eagles have soared into 17th spot.

16

Bournemouth

Squad value – £489 million

Eli Kroupi Junior is among the most valuable teenagers in world football right now, alongside Bournemouth teammate Rayan. While them two are the crown jewels of a young and exciting Cherries squad, it is being heavily rumoured that they could join manager Andoni Iraola in heading towards the exit.

The south coast side have been a stepping stone club for many years now, and while their squad value has inflated since qualifying for the Europa League against all odds, bigger clubs are expected to raid them for their most prized assets.

15

Brighton & Hove Albion

Squad value – £489.8 million

The Seagulls entered a new regime fairly recently as Roberto de Zerbi was replaced by the youngest manager in Premier League history, Fabian Hurzeler. While many of the key figures at the club still remain, the new head coach has been well backed in the transfer market, leading to his side maintaining their status on this list.

The South Coast outfit used the money wisely during his tenure so far, signing the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer and Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee. A lot of Brighton‘s current crop, including Jack Hinshelwood and Simon Adingra, are young stars who will no doubt be sold for a fortune to a bigger club in the future – given their potential. Their buy low sell high policy keeps the club ticking, and there are very few who do it better.

14

Atletico Madrid

Squad value – £498.4 million

It may come as a little bit of a shock to find Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid so low on this list, especially given that the Spanish giants boast a squad that regularly makes it deep in the Champions League. The deal to bring Julian Alvarez to the club was the largest since the one that saw Joao Felix come through the door, while there was also the arrivals of Ademola Lookman and Alex Baena for big money too.

For this to happen though, there had to be some major departures too. Had it not been for the departures of the aforementioned Felix and the likes of Alvaro Morata and Samu Omordion in recent windows, Los Colchoneros may have ranked even slightly higher.

13

Nottingham Forest

Squad value – £499.2 million

Who had Nottingham Forest competing for a spot in the Champions League on their bingo card? Not since the days of Brian Clough had the Garibaldi come close to sniffing a place in Europe’s premier tournament, but overperforming stars such as Chris Wood and Matz Sels made that a distinct possibility just two seasons ago, before their owner saw red mist and sacked Nuno Espirito Santo over a disagreement.

They have cycled through managers like it earns them points since his departure, and that means a valuable squad has hardly had a moment’s peace before the tactics’ sheet is thrown in the air again.

12

Inter Milan

Squad value – £558.8 million

Last season was a success overall for Inter, with them completing a dominant Serie A season on top. The Scudetto would’ve made up for the disappointment fans suffered following the 2023 and 2025 Champions League final heartaches.

Despite losing some key names over the years, the Italian giants maintain a strong position of wealth. Their captain, Lautaro Martinez, is of particular importance as the World Cup winner continues to be considered among the very best in the business at scoring goals. As well as him, Inter have Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu, who all contribute significantly to the club’s overall value.

11

Newcastle United

Squad value – £601.2 million

Despite finishing in the top four in 2023 and being continuously backed financially after a League Cup final win the year after, the Magpies haven’t continued on their upward trajectory since. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are the club’s most valuable players, but they have lost a lot of worth since Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona was confirmed.

Their value could continue to decrease over time too, with Newcastle having to sell in order to continue complying with financial fair play regulations. While they’re eager to keep hold of their talents beyond this summer, their hands may be forced in order to adhere to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules, which has already seen them lose the likes of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in recent times.