U.S. Open To Pay Players $108 Million, The Highest Total In Tennis

BusinessSportsMoneyU.S. Open To Pay Players $108 Million, The Highest Total In TennisByAdam Zagoria,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a basketball and tennis insiderFollow AuthorAug 20, 2026, 10:37am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: (L-R) Jannik Sinner of Italy and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose following their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Getty ImagesThe United States Tennis Association on Thursday announced the largest player compensation package in professional tennis history, reaching $108 million at the 2026 U.S. Open. This represents a 20 percent increase from the previous record set at the 2025 U.S. Open ($90 million) - the second consecutive year of a 20 percent increase and a 44 percent increase in total compensation over two years. Players across the event will enjoy significant increases, including the largest Grand Slam payments in history for Main Draw Singles Champions at $5.5 million and first-round singles payout at $140,000. The compensation package also includes a new Player Support Program seeded with an initial $2 million commitment in 2026, equally split between men and women players.“This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the U.S. Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners," tournament director Craig Tiley said. "We are proud to deliver record-setting prize money and expanded player benefits as well as providing a new platform to work together with players.”The U.S. Open main draw runs Aug. 30-Sept 13.New U.S. Open Player Support Program and Grand Slam Player CouncilThe fo...