US Open sets record $108M purse amid player protest pressure

The United States Tennis Association announced Thursday that the 2026 US Open will offer $108 million in total player compensation, the largest purse in tennis history and a 20% increase from last year's total payout. The move comes as the sport's biggest tournaments face mounting pressure from players demanding a greater share of Grand Slam revenue.frontofficesports+1

Record Payouts Across the Board

Men's and women's singles champions will each earn $5.5 million, a 10% increase from last year and the highest Grand Slam payout ever for a main draw singles winner. First-round competitors will receive $140,000, a 27% jump that tournament organizers called a Grand Slam record for opening-round payouts.thedailystar+1

The prize money announcement follows coordinated media protests by top players at the French Open in May, where stars including world number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka limited their media availability to pressure Grand Slams on compensation. Players have argued they receive roughly 15% of Grand Slam revenue and are seeking 22% by 2030.frontofficesports+1

New Player Council and Support Program

Alongside the prize money increase, all four Grand Slams jointly announced the creation of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council, intended to give players a direct voice on issues including compensation and tournament governance. The council will launch after the US Open, with interested players invited to apply.reuters+1

The USTA also committed $2 million to a new Player Support Program designed to complement existing pension funds and assist players through "mid-career life events and retirement transitions," according to USTA chairman Brian Vahaly.thedailystar

"This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes," USTA CEO Craig Tiley said in the announcement.frontofficesports

Players Weigh Response

American Ben Shelton welcomed the council's creation. "Having a seat at the table with the Grand Slams is something we have wanted for some time," he said in a statement. Jessica Pegula, a WTA player council member, told Front Office Sports last week that while the USTA had been the most communicative of the four Slams, players were withholding judgment on whether to protest until the prize money details emerged.frontofficesports+1

The US Open main draw begins August 30, with qualifying starting Tuesday, August 25.frontofficesports