US Open sets tennis history with record $5.5m prize for singles champions
The US Open is offering a record $108 million in total player compensation, with singles champions receiving an unprecedented $5.5 million each. This marks a significant increase from previous years, with higher payouts across all rounds and a new player support program, making it the biggest prize in Grand Slam tennis history.
Why it matters
This record prize money elevates the financial stakes in professional tennis, potentially attracting more talent, increasing competition, and providing greater financial security for players across the draw, especially those outside the top ranks.
The US Open is set to offer the biggest prize in Grand Slam tennis history, with the 2026 singles champions taking home $5.5 million each as the total player compensation for the tournament rises to a record $108 million.The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced the prize-money structure on Thursday, ahead of the tournament’s start next week. The overall purse represents a 20% increase from last year and a staggering 44% jump since 2024, underlining the growing financial scale of the final Grand Slam of the season.The singles champions’ payout has risen from the $5 million earned by Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka in 2025. Even players who lose in the first round of the 128-player singles main draw will receive a record $140,000.Record payouts across the drawThe increase extends throughout the singles draw, with the quarterfinalists set to earn $780,000 and semifinalists receiving $1.45 million.
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