Record-Breaking $90M US Open Prize Fund Unveiled
Riley Carter here. Serve and volley, but with more zeros?
The US Open Tennis Championships revealed that the 2025 tournament will feature a record pay pool of $90 million, marking a 20 percent increase from last year’s $75 million purse. According to the United States Tennis Association, every round across all events will see double-digit percentage raises compared to 2024.
In the singles draw, both men’s and women’s champions will pocket $5 million each, a 39 percent boost from the $3.6 million awarded in 2024 to winners such as Aryna Sabalenka. The USTA statement notes this rise makes the US Open the richest Grand Slam on the circuit.
Doubles teams also hit a new high with winners in men’s, women’s, and mixed events walking away with $1 million per pair. That figure tops last year’s amount and underlines a broader push by the USTA to support doubles specialists at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
For context, Wimbledon allocated $71 million in prize money for 2024, the French Open distributed $65.5 million, and the Australian Open came in at roughly $63 million. Starting August 24 at New York’s premier tennis venue, the US Open is clearly setting a new financial benchmark in the sport.
This move follows public calls for fairer prize distribution from top players. Novak Djokovic told reporters at last year’s Australian Open that tennis splits a smaller slice for athletes compared to leagues like the NFL and NBA, per The Athletic. Djokovic argued players deserve closer to a 50 percent share of revenue.
“There are so many different layers of the prize money that you have to look into,” Djokovic said, highlighting long-standing debates over regulations and payouts in tennis. His remarks helped spark renewed dialogue at the USTA board meetings, where player representation and revenue streams have taken center stage.
Beyond tennis, major sports stars still dominate headline salaries. In June 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year extension with Al-Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia. While exact terms remain private, multiple outlets report his annual salary hit about $200 million when he first joined in 2022 after departing Manchester United.
Over in Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi landed at Inter Miami CF with a deal guaranteeing more than $20.4 million average compensation and a base salary of $12 million, according to the MLS Players Association 2025 salary guide. The Argentine icon’s arrival has reshaped pay scales in the US.
Despite these eye-popping paychecks, gender gaps persist. Forbes noted no women made its top 50 highest-paid athlete list in 2025. Retired soccer champion Alex Morgan ranked 16th among female earners, taking home about $600,000 on-field and $7 million off-field in 2024, thanks to endorsements and sponsorships.
On the bright side, progress is underway. U.S. Soccer became the first federation to equalize prize money for the FIFA World Cups, a landmark shift echoed in discussions at the USTA. Tennis officials have hinted that future prize structures might include even deeper investments in lower rounds and developmental circuits.
Overall, the 2025 US Open’s historic $90 million purse not only eclipses rival Slams but also underscores the sport’s evolving economics. Stay tuned for more updates as the tennis season heats up.
Anyway, that is the roundup. See you at the baseline if you’re chasing that cash.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and The United States Tennis Association, The Athletic, MLS Players Association, Forbes
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
