US Open announces record prize money and player compensation packages

The US Tennis Association said on Tuesday that the total prize money and player compensation at this year’s US Open event would reach a record $65 million, noting that the sum is bolstered by increases in the amount of expenses covered for players by the tournament.

In 2022 the total payout was estimated to come out as $60 million.

At the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, the main singles draws open on 28 August  and conclude on 10 and 11 September, respectively, with the women’s and men’s finals.

The US Open was the first competition in the sport to pay women and men equally, and both singles champions will receive $3 million in 2023 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Although an increase of around 15% from $2.6 million in 2018 it is still less than the $3.9 million pre-pandemic payout each winner received in 2019.

“The USTA is incredibly proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of awarding equal prize money at this year’s US Open, and to honour Billie Jean King’s efforts to make this a reality,” Brian Hainline, USTA Chairman of the Board and President, said. “No individual has done more to secure equality for female athletes than Billie Jean King. Her impact goes far beyond the tennis court, and there is no better time to celebrate her legacy than on the anniversary of this historic milestone.”

“It’s not just about the money, it’s about the message,” said Billie Jean King. “Every generation does have to fight for equality and freedom.”

Players who fall in the first round of singles, for example, will get $81,500, up from $80,000 in 2022 and from $58,000 in 2019. The organisers are keen to reward players who fight through qualifying to get into the main draw.

The prize money for the doubles champions will increase to $700,000 from $688,000 in 2022.

For qualifying and main-draw singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and wheelchair tournaments, the USTA is increasing the amount of expense money available to both men and women.

For the first time, competitors will receive $1,000 travel vouchers; everyone will receive a second free room in an official tournament hotel instead of just one room, or if they choose, a stipend of $600 per day (up from $300) to be used for alternative housing; meal allowances will be increased; and racket stringing will be offered to all players.

The US Open has the most prize money of any Grand Slam event this year after deducting the expenses paid.

Based on exchange rates at the time of the competitions, the purses at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open were $56.5 million, $54 million, and $53 million, respectively.

The full player compensation breakdown at the 2023 US Open is as follows:

Main Draw Singles
Champion: $3,000,000
Runner-Up: $1,500,000
Semifinalists: $775,000
Quarterfinalists: $455,000
Round of 16: $284,000
Round of 32: $191,000
Round of 64: $123,000
Round of 128: $81,500
Main Draw Doubles (per team)
Champions: $700,000
Runners-Up: $350,000
Semifinalists: $180,000
Quarterfinalists: $100,000
Round of 16: $58,000
Round of 32: $36,800
Round of 64: $22,000

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