The US Open pulls out all the stops: will distribute the largest prize money in history

Jose Morón | 6 Aug 2025 | 19.29

The US Open goes all out: will distribute the largest prize money in history.

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As every year, the US Open strives to position itself as the richest Grand Slam on the circuit. They always offer the highest prize pool of all existing tournaments, but this year they have gone further and spared no expense. In total, they will distribute 85 million dollars, with a pool of 5 million for the winners. This is a turning point, as never before has so much money been awarded to a Grand Slam winner.

Last year, Sabalenka and Sinner, winners in New York, pocketed 3.6 million dollars. This year, there is a 39% increase. This means filling the pockets of players who already have an amount of money that they probably won't be able to spend in their lifetime. On the other hand, the increase at the lower end, in the early rounds, is only about 10%. This has sparked tremendous criticism on social media.

Before delving into the debate about whether the gap between the Top players and those at the bottom will widen or not, it is worth mentioning that last year, players pushed through the Player Council to address the issue of prize money. They considered the profit distribution offered by the Grand Slams to be "unfair". In total, these tournaments barely distribute between 13 and 16% of the profits they make. This represents a stark contrast with other sports, where up to 50% is distributed.

Players were asking, at least, to reach 30%. Well, with this increase, the US Open would only be allocating 16.1% of its profits. Still far from what should actually be distributed to those involved and who sustain this sport. Without players, there is no show, yet they continue to enrich themselves at their expense.

Drowning the champions in money was something that not many expected. There is usually a small increase compared to previous years, around 200,000 dollars, but compared to 2024, the winners of the US Open 2025 will take home an extra 1.4 million this year. Absolutely outrageous.

In the midst of 2025, we still have a sport where only 140 people per circuit (280 worldwide) can make a living from tennis. By distributing in this way, the gap between the Top players and those at the bottom widens.

We all want a more competitive and less boring circuit. Where there is some excitement in the early rounds of a Slam. Where the Top players don't just breeze through and there is no excitement until well into the second week. With this kind of distribution, it means that those below still cannot afford access to physios, doctors, or coaches. There are people from the humblest part of tennis who have to share a coach or string rackets just to pay for a place to sleep at a tournament.

Because what we see on TV of success and fame for the Top players is far removed from the reality experienced by hundreds of players in this sport. If a Top 300 player earns more money, it would allow access to a more professional team, improve technically and physically, and raise the competitiveness and overall level of the circuit.

Grand Slam tournaments can distribute more money than they currently do, and they can do it much more intelligently. We are not saying that the Top players cannot win 5 million. If the winner deserves that, or more, let them win it. What we are saying is that, if money needs to be distributed urgently now, it should start from the bottom and not so much from the top. Because the Top players don't need more money when they already earn nearly 4 million, while those at the bottom barely survive, painting a poor image of this sport.

We need tennis to be a more accessible sport, where more people can make a living from it worldwide, allowing many more children to choose tennis as a way of life in the future. We all stand to benefit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El US Open tira la casa por la ventana: repartirá el mayor prize money de la historia