A record $108 million on the table
The US Open starts on Sunday in Flushing with the biggest prize pool tennis has ever offered. The United States Tennis Association lifted the pot by 20 percent to $108 million, up from $90 million last year and 44 percent higher than the $75 million paid out in 2024.
Each singles champion collects a Grand Slam record $5.5 million. Every player who reaches the 128-player main draw banks at least $140,000, the largest first-round payday in the sport’s history. Quarter-finalists take $780,000, semi-finalists $1.45 million and the runners-up $2.8 million. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka each earned $5 million for winning last year.
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Tiley draws the line at revenue sharing
Craig Tiley took over as USTA chief executive last month. On Saturday he told a press conference the tournament does not set prize money against revenue, and does not intend to start.
“We don’t use that number as a form of calculating how we compensate, because it can be fairly arbitrary from one event to another,” Tiley said, per Front Office Sports. “I believe the tours use profit, so we look at it very differently. We say, what’s a fair share that the players need to be compensated on.”
Grand Slams operate without a fixed revenue share and pay players roughly 15 percent of revenue. The players want 22 percent by 2030, arguing the money would reach lower-ranked professionals trying to fund a career. Retirement benefits and player welfare across the two weeks sit alongside it on their list of demands.
A new council, and plenty still to settle
The USTA has created a player support programme and a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council. Both landed well. Tiley said around ten players have expressed interest in joining the council.
Jessica Pegula, the world number three and a member of the WTA Players’ Council, told Front Office Sports on Friday that revenue sharing stays on the agenda.
“That’s something we’re still pushing for, and so I think hopefully with this council, that we’ll be able to continue those discussions because I know from our side, we still do believe that a revenue share is the best way, and now we’ll just have much more open communication,” Pegula said.
The other 2026 majors paid out less. Wimbledon’s pool came to roughly $87.5 million, the Australian Open’s to about $79.3 million and the French Open’s to about $71.7 million.
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