Sabalenka's Luxury Jewellery Contradicts Her Prize Money Advocacy at Roland Garros

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka attracted attention at the French Open after stepping onto the court wearing jewelry reportedly valued at more than £75,000, or approximately Rs 97 lakh. The appearance came just days after leading tennis players, including Sabalenka, voiced concerns over Grand Slam prize money distribution and called for a greater share of tournament revenues for lower-ranked professionals. The Belarusian star began her Roland Garros campaign with a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

According to reports, Sabalenka wore diamond-and-garnet necklaces and earrings provided by New York luxury jeweler Material Good. The jewelry collection reportedly included more than 200 carats of garnets and 23 carats of diamonds, coordinated with her black-and-red Nike outfit for the tournament. British media outlet Telegraph Sport stated that the jewelry supplied for the tournament was valued at around $148,000. Sabalenka reportedly chose not to wear one of the necklaces during the match.

The jewelry's estimated value exceeded the prize money awarded to players eliminated in the opening round of the French Open, a comparison that quickly sparked conversation online. In recent days, top tennis players have intensified discussions around financial inequality within the sport, arguing that lower-ranked players struggle to sustain professional careers despite competing at major tournaments. Calls for fairer prize distribution have become increasingly prominent as revenues from Grand Slam events continue to grow.

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Sabalenka addressed questions about security around the expensive jewelry with humor, joking that her fiancé and physiotherapist—who reportedly practices jujitsu—provided “enough security.” Her comments added a lighter tone to the discussion, though the timing of the luxury display amid ongoing prize money debates generated mixed reactions among fans and commentators. Some viewed the appearance as a fashion statement unrelated to the financial issues being discussed, while others questioned the optics of the situation.

A three-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka remains one of the biggest names in women’s tennis and a strong contender for the French Open title this year. The incident once again highlighted the growing spotlight on the economics of professional tennis, where elite stars often secure lucrative endorsement deals while lower-ranked players continue pushing for improved financial support. As the tournament progresses, conversations surrounding prize money and player earnings are expected to remain a significant topic alongside the on-court competition.

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