Alexander Zverev collected the biggest pay cheque in Grand Slam history for beating Ben Shelton in the 2026 US Open men’s singles final, taking home $5.5 million after a 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2 win in New York on 14 September.
Shelton banked $2.8 million as runner-up. Elena Rybakina pocketed the same $5.5 million on the women’s side after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 two days earlier for her third Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking.
A $108m pool, up 20% on 2025
The US Open announced a total prize pool of $108 million, a 20% jump from the $90 million on offer in 2025 and the first time any Grand Slam has crossed the $100 million line in total player compensation. The first-round cheque alone rose 27% year-on-year to $140,000, the largest first-round payout at any major.
The champions’ $5.5 million is a 10% increase on last year’s winner’s share and clears the previous singles record set at earlier 2026 majors, where Wimbledon paid out roughly $4.8 million, Roland Garros around $3.25 million and the Australian Open $2.79 million to its winners.
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The full singles breakdown
Prize money per singles player, per the ATP Tour’s published breakdown:
- Champion: $5,500,000
- Runner-up: $2,800,000
- Semi-finalist: $1,450,000
- Quarter-finalist: $780,000
- Round of 16: $480,000
- Third round: $290,000
- Second round: $190,000
- First round: $140,000
The men’s semi-finalists, Frances Tiafoe and Karen Khachanov, each earned $1.45 million, as did women’s semi-finalists Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff. Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter-final exit was worth $780,000. Novak Djokovic, out in the opening round, still left with $140,000.
Qualifying rounds paid $32,000 (first round), $48,000 (second round) and $66,000 (third round).
Doubles and the new player fund
Doubles teams collected $1 million for winning the title, $500,000 for the final and $35,000 just for entering the main draw. A new Player Support Program added $2 million, split evenly between the men’s and women’s tours, aimed at travel costs and career transitions.
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Zverev’s second major of 2026
The New York title is Zverev’s second Grand Slam of the year. The German won his first major at Roland Garros in June, beating Flavio Cobolli in a five-set final, and has now pushed his 2026 prize money past $14.69 million.
Rybakina’s win took her to the top of the WTA rankings; Shelton climbed to a career-high No. 4 on the men’s side. The next Grand Slam on the calendar is the 2027 Australian Open in Melbourne in January.
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