US OPEN PRIZE MONEY RISES TO RECORD $5.5M FOR SINGLES CHAMPIONS

The US Open will award a record $5.5m to its singles champions, the US Tennis Association announced on Thursday. The overall prize pool for the tournament will reach $108m, representing a 20% increase from the previous year and a 44% increase since 2024. Players competing in the 128-player singles main draw will receive a minimum of $140,000 for reaching the first round, described as the largest amount in tennis history for entry into a grand slam singles draw.

Quarter-finalists will earn $780,000, semi-finalists $1.45m and the runner-up $2.8m. The winning teams in men's, women's and mixed doubles will split $1m, with runners-up earning $500,000. Wheelchair singles champions will receive $104,000. These figures represent increases across all prize categories compared to the 2025 tournament, when champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz each earned $5m from a total player compensation pool of $90m.

The USTA also announced the establishment of a player support programme with an initial $2m commitment, split equally between men's and women's players to provide benefits and complement pension funds. USTA CEO Craig Tiley described the financial commitment as "a significant first step in a multiyear investment in athletes". The programme will be designed with guidance from the Grand Slam Player Council, created this week in response to players seeking greater input and revenue from the four major tournaments.