Aryna Sabalenka stepped onto Court Philippe Chatrier on Tuesday adorned with jewellery valued at more than $110,000 (£85,000), just days after spearheading tennis players' campaign for higher prize money.
The world number one secured a straightforward 6-4, 6-2 victory over Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her opening match at Roland Garros.
The value of the accessories worn by the four-time Grand Slam champion exceeded what her defeated opponent received for losing in the first round.
Sabalenka, who established a women's tennis earnings record of $15m last year, has positioned herself as a central figure in the ongoing push for improved player compensation at major tournaments.
Aryna Sabalenka wore jewellery worth around £85,000 on Court Philippe Chatrier on Tuesday
|REUTERS
The 28-year-old Belarusian completed her win in approximately 75 minutes despite sweltering conditions in Paris.
Ahead of the tournament, the top 10 male and female players staged a coordinated protest by limiting their press conference duties to 15 minutes on the designated media day.
This symbolic gesture highlighted that the French Tennis Federation allocates less than 15 per cent of tournament revenue to prize money.
Sabalenka herself concluded her English-language press conference early after fielding just 13 questions.
The campaign seeking improved compensation is being led by WTA chairman and chief executive Larry Scott.
Players are demanding 22 per cent of tournament income, which would represent an additional £25m in prize money.
Aryna Sabalenka has strongly advocated for more pay at the French Open
|REUTERS
The French Tennis Federation has reportedly held discussions with player representatives and intends to present a counter-proposal in the coming weeks.
Sabalenka's on-court accessories came through her partnership with New York-based designer Material Good, who supplied three necklaces for the tournament with a combined value of $148,000.
The collection features more than 200 carats of garnets alongside 23 carats of diamonds.
However, the top seed opted to leave one piece in the locker room for her opening match.
"Actually, it's supposed to be the third necklace, but, I was, like, 'Okay, it's kind of like too much probably', so I decided to keep it just two," Sabalenka explained.
Despite temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, she insisted the weight posed no problem.
"I feel pretty comfortable. For me, it's important to look good. If I feel good looking-wise, I perform better and I feel great," she added.
Aryna Sabalenka wins, Aryna Sabalenka dances 💃 pic.twitter.com/VH2ZTJfjY8
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 26, 2026
Questioned about the apparent contradiction between her expensive accessories and the prize money campaign, Sabalenka dismissed any connection between the two matters.
"I don't really see how it can be possible to, like, cross these two completely different worlds," she said.
The world number one maintained that her advocacy was never about personal gain.
"As I said before, prize money, it's not about me at all. It's just fighting for players, lower-ranked players who is really struggling to survive in this tennis world," Sabalenka stated.
A perfect start to Roland-Garros for Aryna Sabalenka 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PRs93W1MZ9
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) May 26, 2026
British player Francesca Jones highlighted the financial realities facing those outside the elite, noting on Friday that competitors ranked below 75 often struggle to break even.
Grand Slam regulations impose no restrictions on jewellery, requiring only that players present themselves professionally.