USTA increases US Open purse to $108m; singles champions to receive $5.5m
The US Tennis Association announced on Thursday that the US Open singles champions will each receive $5.5m and that the tournament's total prize money will rise to $108m, with play set to begin next week. The champions' prize is the highest single-player payout in grand slam tennis history.
The USTA said the $108m total represents a 20% increase from last year and a 44% rise since 2024. Players who reach the 128-player singles main draw will be guaranteed $140,000, described in the announcement as the largest amount in tennis history for first-round entrants. The financial details were released by the USTA ahead of next week's start of play.
The USTA set later-round payouts at $780,000 for quarter-finalists, $1.45m for semi-finalists and $2.8m for the singles runner-up. The champions' $5.5m cheque is up from the $5m awarded to Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz last year. Last year's total player compensation was $90m.
By comparison, the singles winners' purses at the other majors were listed as $4.9m at Wimbledon, $3.3m at the French Open and $2.9m at the Australian Open. Those figures were included in the USTA's announcement of the tournament's revised financial package. The association framed the update as an increase in the overall economic opportunity for players.
Winning teams in men's, women's and mixed doubles will split $1m, with runner-up teams to receive $500,000. Wheelchair singles champions will earn $104,000. The USTA also confirmed the $140,000 guarantee for players reaching the main singles draw.
The USTA said it will establish a player support program with an initial commitment of $2m to be split equally between men's and women's players, to provide benefits and complement existing pension funds. USTA CEO Craig Tiley called the financial commitment to players at all levels a "significant first step in a multiyear 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". The program will be designed with guidance from the Grand Slam Player Council, whose creation was announced this week in response to players seeking greater input and revenue from the four major tournaments.
The USTA released the revised prize-money schedule on Thursday ahead of play starting next week, and said the changes include both the increased payouts across rounds and the initial funding for the player support program.