US Open has always been at the forefront of the tennis world when it comes to prize money distribution, the first Grand Slam that announced pay parity all the way back in 1973, championed by Billie Jean King. On Wednesday, the tournament announced that the 2025 edition will create a new record in tennis history. The prize money at 2025 US Open will rise to nearly $85 million across all competitions this year, including a record $5 million each to the women’s and men’s singles champions, and total player compensation (including costs earmarked for hotel and food and not associated with performance) is $90 million, jumping 20%.
The US Tennis Association announced the payouts Wednesday for the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, which begins with the new mixed doubles event and its $1 million top check on Aug. 19-20. Singles competition starts on a Sunday for the first time — Aug. 24 — as those brackets expand from 14 days to 15.
The increases at Flushing Meadows — where last year’s total compensation was $75 million — come as the sport’s leading players have been in discussions with each of the four major tournaments in a bid to receive a higher percentage of revenues at the US Open, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and 2024 US Open champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner were among 20 players who signed a letter sent to the heads of the four Grand Slam events in March seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called “decisions that directly impact us.” Since then, some players have held talks with the majors. The previous high amount for a US Open singles championship was $3.85 million in 2019, before decreasing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s $5 million check represents a 39% hike from last year’s $3.6 million. The same percentage increase was applied to the singles runners-up, who get $2.5 million each. Semifinalists will earn $1.26 million, a 26% rise.
In New York, the winning teams in women’s and men’s doubles will receive $1 million, a new high for those events at the US Open, where total prizes for qualifying are going up to $8 million, a 10% increase.
The $85 million in 2025 US Open prize money includes singles, doubles, qualifying and wheelchair events.
Wednesday’s news comes after the USTA said in May that its main arena, Arthur Ashe Stadium, would be overhauled as part of an $800 million project touted as the “largest single investment” in US Open history.
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Comparison with other Grand Slams
At Wimbledon, which ended last month, prize money went up about 7% to about $73 million at the exchange rate when the All England Club announced its player payments. The singles champions were paid just over $4 million apiece.
At 2025 French Open, the total prize money was €56.352 million (~$65.66 million), up 5.21%. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn €2.55 million.
While US Open achieved pay parity more than 50 years ago, the other Slams took their time. Australian Open announced equal prize money for champions in 2001, while – with Venus Williams playing a central role this time – Roland Garros and Wimbledon came on board from 2007.
The Australian Open’s prize pool was AUD $96.5 million (USD 62.77 million) up nearly 12%on 2024. The men’s and women’s singles champions earned AUD $3.5 million.
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Singles prize money for champions, converted to USD: (Equal for men’s singles and women’s singles)
US Open: $5.0 million
Wimbledon: $4.01 million
French Open: $2.97 million
Australian Open: $2.26 million
(With AP inputs)
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
