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USTA Sets Record $108M U.S. Open Prize Pool

8/20/2026

Summary

USTA Boosts Payout

The U.S. Tennis Association announced a record $108 million prize pool for the 2026 U.S. Open.
Singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, the highest Grand Slam payout ever.
First-round main-draw players will earn $140,000, the largest amount in tennis history.
USTA CEO Craig Tiley said a $2 million support program and a new Player Council give players a voice.
Defending champions are Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (men) and Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka (women).

Summary

Players demand share

The four Grand Slam organizers announced a new Player Advisory Council to give athletes a formal voice.
Players threatened to boycott the revamped mixed-doubles event, with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner reportedly considering a protest.
The USTA pledged a $2 million Player Support Program, split equally between men’s and women’s players, to supplement pensions.
Players are demanding a 22 % share of Grand Slam revenues by 2030, up from the current ~15 %.

History

Historical Context

The ATP, founded in September 1972 by Jack Kramer, Donald Dell and Cliff Drysdale, staged its first major action in May 1973 when 81 top players, including 13 of the 16 seeds, boycotted Wimbledon over Nikola Pilic’s suspension. The protest forced the All England Club to confront player revenue demands, a precedent echoed today in the USTA’s player advisory council.

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USTA Boosts Payout

The U.S. Tennis Association announced a record $108 million prize pool for the 2026 U.S. Open.
Singles champions will each receive $5.5 million, the highest Grand Slam payout ever.
First-round main-draw players will earn $140,000, the largest amount in tennis history.
USTA CEO Craig Tiley said a $2 million support program and a new Player Council give players a voice.
Defending champions are Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (men) and Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka (women).

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