US Open 2025 Sets Record with $85 Million Prize Pool Amid Player Revenue Debate

Prime Highlights

The 2025 US Open will reward a record $85 million in player prize money.
A 21% increase from 2024, it is the biggest-paying Grand Slam.

Key Fact

The singles winners will take home $5 million each, while the finalists will receive $2.5 million.
Early-round payments and qualifying bonuses have experienced significant increases as well.

Key Background

The 2025 US Open is now the wealthiest Grand Slam tennis tournament in history at a record prize purse of $85 million. This is up 21% over the 2024 payment and more than 15% above last year’s $559.7 million operating revenue. Overall, including non-performance-based expenses such as food and hotel stipends, the total compensation pool rises to $90 million from $75 million in 2024.

The increase in prize comes amid mounting outrage by players at their cut of tournament revenues. Grand Slam officials habitually promote increased prize money, but players complain the existing revenue share is disproportionately low compared to team sports such as the NFL or NBA, in which players get almost 50% of revenues. Players are said to be taking home only 13-17% according to the tournament. This has prompted top rivals to use a former WTA CEO Larry Scott to fight for a more equitable percentage.

The case is also complicated by an antitrust action brought by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which Novak Djokovic started. The PTPA originally alleged that the four Grand Slams constituted a cartel but has since relocated to negotiation following “constructive discussions,” striking the Grand Slams from its revised complaint. But governing tours ATP and WTA have filed to dismiss the action.

As part of the strategy, the USTA has focused on raises for players advancing to later rounds. Winners of singles will take home $5 million, although first-round and qualifying players are compensated as well — main draw players receiving $110,000 and those advancing to the pre-qualifying rounds receiving $27,500. The steps are designed to help preserve competitiveness and move away from pressure from players calling for greater financial equality throughout the sport.