US Open to pay record $5.5m to singles champions as total prize pool rises to $108m

The United States Tennis Association on Thursday announced the US Open will pay the men's and women's singles champions $5.5 million each at this year's final major, the largest individual winners' prize in Grand Slam history. The USTA said total player compensation at the tournament will reach $108 million.

The USTA reported the $108 million total represents a 20 percent rise from 2025 and a 44 percent increase compared with 2024. Players who reach the 128-player singles main draw will be guaranteed $140,000, which the USTA described as the biggest first-round payout in the history of the sport. Quarter-finalists will collect $780,000, semi-finalists $1.45 million and the runners-up $2.8 million.

The $5.5 million singles winners' cheque is an increase on last year's $5 million payday. That $5 million was collected by Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz. The total prize allocation for players at the 2025 tournament stood at $90 million.

There will also be significant rewards in the doubles events. The men's, women's and mixed doubles champions will share $1 million per winning team, while the runners-up will receive $500,000. Wheelchair singles winners will be awarded $104,000.

Alongside the increased prize money, the USTA announced a new player support initiative that will initially receive $2 million, divided equally between men's and women's players. The programme is intended to provide additional benefits alongside existing pension arrangements. USTA CEO Craig Tiley described the investment as an important beginning to a longer-term effort aimed at supporting players across the sport. "This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the US Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners. We are proud to deliver record-setting prize money and expanded player benefits as well as providing a new platform to work together with players," said Tiley.

The USTA said the new support programme will be developed with input from the newly announced Grand Slam Player Council. The council has been established as players push for a greater voice in decision-making and a larger share of the revenue generated by the four Grand Slam tournaments.