Top Players Secure Record $90M U.S. Open Prize Money After Advocacy

Professional tennis players including Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jannik Sinner have successfully advocated for improved financial compensation ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, leading to a record $90 million in prize money [1]. These players were part of a collective effort by 20 top athletes who signed a letter addressed to the leadership of the U.S. Open to push for fairer financial rewards [1]. The outcome reflects a growing emphasis on athlete advocacy and the tangible results of collective action in the sports industry. The increased prize pool not only benefits individual winners but also enhances the overall financial landscape for participants, which could help attract and retain top talent in the sport. Given the increasing commercialization of tennis, this development underscores the importance of aligning athlete earnings with the sport's global financial stature.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced the updated prize money figures for the 2025 U.S. Open on Wednesday, confirming a total player compensation of $90 million, the highest in tennis history. This includes a record $5 million for the winners of both the men’s and women’s singles events, marking a 39% increase from the $3.6 million awarded in 2024. The runners-up in the singles category will each receive $2.5 million, while semifinalists are set to earn $1.26 million, a 26% increase [1]. The U.S. Open’s overall prize money across all events will reach nearly $85 million, with the previous year’s total compensation having stood at $75 million.

The USTA’s decision follows months of dialogue between top players and the leadership of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The effort began in March with a letter from 20 athletes, including Djokovic, Gauff, Sabalenka, and Sinner, addressing the heads of the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open. The athletes called for a greater share of tournament revenue and a more inclusive role in decisions that directly affect them. Since that time, several players have engaged in direct talks with tournament organizers [1].

The increased prize money at the U.S. Open aligns with similar adjustments at other Grand Slam events. At Wimbledon, which concluded last month, prize money increased by about 7% to approximately $73 million, with singles champions receiving $4 million apiece [1]. In New York, the winners of the men’s and women’s doubles events will each receive $1 million, another record for those categories at the U.S. Open. Additionally, the total prize money for qualifying rounds has risen to $8 million, a 10% increase [1].

The 2025 U.S. Open will begin on August 19–20 with the debut of the mixed doubles event, which offers a $1 million top prize. The singles competition will start on August 24 for the first time, with the tournament’s duration extended from 14 to 15 days. The USTA has also announced a major overhaul of Arthur Ashe Stadium, described as the “largest single investment” in U.S. Open history, to be completed before the tournament begins [1].

The overall prize money pool for the 2025 U.S. Open includes singles, doubles, qualifying, and wheelchair events, totaling $85 million. This represents a significant step forward in the sport’s financial landscape and reflects the influence of collective advocacy among athletes. The increased compensation is expected to enhance player satisfaction and competitiveness, further elevating the profile of tennis as a globally prominent sport.

Source: [1] Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, U.S. Open and record 90 million compensation (url: https://fortune.com/2025/08/07/novak-djokovic-coco-gauff-us-open-record-90-million-compensation/)