The US Open is rewriting the financial playbook for professional tennis.
This year’s edition of the tournament will feature a record-setting $90 million prize pool, making it the largest purse in the history of the sport. The 20% increase from 2024’s $75 million signals not just headline-grabbing numbers — but a broader shift in how revenue is distributed across the tennis ecosystem.
A Response to Player Pressure
The prize hike comes in a year where both ATP and WTA players have made vocal demands for greater equity and transparency in Grand Slam revenues. While elite stars regularly command global endorsement deals and top-heavy payouts, the financial margins for lower-ranked players remain razor-thin.
By significantly boosting rewards across all rounds and competitions, not just for the champions, the US Open is positioning itself at the forefront of a potential structural reform. Organisers have cited a multi-year effort to strategically redistribute prize money, particularly toward early-round exits and qualifiers — those who often carry the greatest cost-to-income imbalance on tour.
Equal Pay, Elevated Stakes
The winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles will now each take home $5 million, up from $3.6 million last year. But the real story lies beneath the top line: qualifying rounds, early-stage competitors, and doubles events will all receive double-digit percentage increases — a bold departure from the trickle-down economics that have historically defined tennis prize distribution.
Innovation Off the Court
This year also sees several format changes reflecting tennis’s desire to evolve with its audience. Most notably, the mixed doubles competition will be condensed into a high-impact, two-day format staged in the week leading up to the main draw. Designed to showcase marquee singles talent in a fresh light, the reimagined format serves both fan engagement and player visibility.
Moreover, the singles tournament has been expanded to a 15-day window, a move that aligns with increasing in-person demand. The US Open surpassed one million attendees for the first time in 2024 — a testament to the sport’s continued popularity and the event’s cultural status as more than just a tennis tournament.
More Than Just Numbers
Behind the headline-grabbing purse lies a deeper tension: How does a global sport balance commercial success with long-term player sustainability?
The US Open’s latest moves suggest a blueprint — one where redistribution, innovation, and inclusivity shape the next era of tennis. Whether other Grand Slams follow suit remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the business of tennis is no longer just about the final Sunday. It’s about the full ladder — from qualifiers to champions — and the economic ecosystem that keeps it climbing.
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