US Open women’s champion wins the biggest prize money ever in tennis, with an amazing payout revealed!
The women’s US Open final is happening on Saturday evening in New York’s Flushing Meadows, starting at 9 pm British Standard Time. Aryna Sabalenka is hoping to win the title for the third year in a row, while Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan aims to stop her and claim the trophy herself.
Both players are excited to win this Grand Slam, especially since the winner will receive the biggest prize money in tennis history.
The 2026 US Open is offering a record £80 million in total prize money, which is 20% more than last year. Men and women will get equal prize money, so the winner of the Sabalenka vs. Rybakina match will receive around £4 million, while the runner-up will earn about £2 million. The same goes for the men’s final between Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev the next day. Last year, Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz both took home £3.7 million for winning their titles.
Every player in the 128-player singles draw will get at least £103,000, another record amount.
This year, Sabalenka and other top players have been speaking up for better pay and support for lower-ranked players. They want a bigger share of the money made by the Grand Slam tournaments, more help for players’ welfare, and a say in scheduling. Sabalenka, now World No. 1, has been a strong voice for this cause, saying she wants to help players who struggle more, like those returning from injury or just starting out.
Before the French Open, she said, “It’s not about me. It’s about the players lower in the rankings who are having a hard time. I feel I have to stand up for them — for the lower-level players, those coming back from injuries, and the young players. Our message is fair and clear.”
While the prize fund at Roland Garros grew by 9.5%, the players believe they deserve more – around 22% of the tournament’s revenue. But they seem happier with the prize money increase at the US Open.