Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The US Open is set to offer the richest prize in Grand Slam tennis history, with the men’s and women’s singles champions set to take home a record 5.5 million US dollars each. The total player compensation at the year’s final major will also reach an unprecedented USD 108 million, according to figures released by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) on Thursday. That represents a 20 percent rise from 2025 and a 44 percent increase compared with 2024.
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Even reaching the 128-player singles main draw will guarantee competitors 140,000 USD, the biggest first-round payout in the history of the sport. Players who make the quarter-finals will collect USD 780,000, while semi-finalists will receive USD 1.45 million. The runners-up are set to earn USD 2.8 million.
The singles champions’ prize marks an increase from last year’s USD 5 million payday, which was collected by Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz. The total prize allocation for players at the 2025 tournament stood at USD 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 USD 500,000. The wheelchair singles winners will be awarded USD 104,000.
Alongside the increased prize money, the USTA has announced a new player support initiative. The programme will initially receive USD 2 million, divided equally between men’s and women’s players, and 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. He said the US Open would continue to provide one of the strongest financial opportunities in tennis while serving players, fans and commercial partners.
“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 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.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
