The head of the French Tennis Federation, Christian Bimes, also confirmed the event will now run to an extra day, as of next year.
With the event now due to start on the Sunday – rather than the traditional Monday – it is hoped TV audience figures and attendance revenues will rise.
It leaves just Wimbledon of the four majors with prize money inequality.
Organisers of the French Open tennis tournament have dragged the event into line with the Australian and US Opens by offering both men and women competitors equal prize money.
