New York’s richest tennis tournament responds to growing demands for a fairer share of its success.
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
The 2026 US Open distributed a record $108 million in total player compensation, reinforcing its position as the highest-paying tournament in professional tennis. The figure represented a 20 percent increase from 2025 and a 44 percent rise in only two years.
Singles champions Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina each received $5.5 million, the largest winner’s payment in Grand Slam history. Runners-up Ben Shelton and Aryna Sabalenka earned $2.8 million apiece, while every semifinalist collected $1.45 million.
The increases extended beyond the final rounds. Quarterfinalists received $780,000, players reaching the round of 16 earned $480,000 and first-round competitors were guaranteed $140,000. The latter represented a 27 percent annual increase and provided important support to lower-ranked players facing substantial travel, coaching, accommodation and medical expenses.
Men’s, women’s and mixed-doubles champions each shared $1 million per team. The United States Tennis Association also committed an initial $2 million to a new Player Support Program, divided equally between men and women. The initiative is intended to assist eligible competitors during mid-career life events and the transition into retirement.
The record purse followed sustained pressure from leading players seeking a larger share of Grand Slam revenue and greater influence over tournament decisions. Their demands include improved welfare programs and a long-term revenue-sharing model comparable to those operating in other professional sports. Prize increases represent progress, but negotiations over the economic structure of the majors remain unresolved.
The four Grand Slam tournaments have established a Player Advisory Council to create a formal channel for consultation on competition and tournament matters. Financial decisions will remain under the authority of each event, however, leaving players without the collective bargaining power found in several major team sports.
The US Open’s financial strength is supported by substantial broadcasting contracts, sponsorship income, ticket sales and commercial activity surrounding the tournament. Its record payments recognize that the athletes generate the spectacle, but they also intensify scrutiny of how tennis distributes wealth across rankings. For the sport’s leading stars, the new figures are historic; for those struggling to sustain a professional career, the decisive question remains how much economic security reaches beyond the final weekend.
Growth becomes meaningful when prosperity extends beyond the champions.