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The US Open is set to make history this year with a record $108 million prize fund, marking a 20% increase from last year's total.
The singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, a 10% increase compared with the 2025 tournament. Players eliminated in the opening round will also benefit significantly, taking home $140,000, which is $30,000 more than last year and represents a 27% increase.
The overall prize pool includes $2 million allocated to a new player welfare fund, addressing one of the major demands from leading tennis players across the four Grand Slam tournaments.
The Grand Slams have also jointly announced the creation of a Grand Slam Player Council, another key request from players who have increasingly pushed for greater involvement in decisions affecting their careers. Some players previously limited their media appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon to 15 minutes as part of efforts to draw attention to their concerns.
Players have also called for each Grand Slam to allocate 16% of its revenue toward prize money, with that percentage expected to increase to 22% by 2030.
It is possible that the US Open has already reached the initial target, although the United States Tennis Association has not yet released its 2025 financial statement. The organization said the report will be published before the main draw begins.
USTA chief executive Craig Tiley described the latest prize money increase as "a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes."
The distribution of this year's prize money also addresses concerns raised by players about previous increases benefiting competitors who advanced furthest in the tournament. Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3, previously pointed out that last year's increase primarily benefited players who reached the second week.
This year, the largest percentage increase will go to first-round losers, with the percentage increase gradually decreasing in each subsequent round.
Players competing in mixed doubles during qualifying week will also receive increased payouts. While the winners will continue to split $1 million, first-round prize money has doubled.
Player representatives had requested that each Grand Slam contribute $4 million toward player benefits this year. The US Open is the first to set aside money specifically for this purpose, although the $2 million welfare allocation will come from the overall prize fund.
The Grand Slam Player Council is expected to launch after the US Open and will focus on giving players a greater voice in sporting matters across the four major tournaments.
The US Open begins on Aug. 30.
