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yesterday

U.S. Open Raises Prize Pool to $108 Million and Announces Grand Slam Player Council

The package provides direct cash and cost relief for lower-ranked players while revenue‑share demands remain unresolved.

Image
Tennis - U.S. Open - Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 28, 2026 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the press conference REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 24, 2023 Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia is pictured in the stands during the quarter final match between Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. REUTERS/Carl Recine/File Photo
Tennis - U.S. Open - Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States - August 28, 2026 Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during the press conference REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Overview

  • The U.S. Open announced a record $108 million total purse, increasing singles winners to $5.5 million and guaranteeing $140,000 for first-round main-draw losers.
  • The tournament also boosted qualifying pay (for example, third-round qualifying at $66,000) to reduce costs for players trying to reach the main draw.
  • Organizers delivered one-off support on arrival, giving qualifying and other players a $2,500 Uber credit and a $1,000 American Express card, and established a $2 million Player Support Program for welfare and retirement assistance.
  • The four Grand Slams formally created a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council, but its membership, structure and powers are still being defined and the USTA has declined to adopt a fixed revenue‑share formula.
  • Players and leaders including Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula have welcomed the measures as de-escalation, yet they say talks will continue toward a longer-term revenue-share goal and clearer council authority after the tournament.