US Open 2021 prize money: How much money do the champions get?

New York is ready to watch the best tennis players in the world compete for the last major of the year, the 2021 US Open. There are high expectations this year, despite some absences, as Novak Djokovic can make history as the third man to complete the calendar year Grand Slam and Naomi Osaka is on the quest of her third title in Flushing Meadows. 

Like every year, it’s expected that champions will get a good amount of money for their efforts. The US Open has been historically the best paying Grand Slam, at least for the winners, and it was the first major to introduce equal prize money between women and men in 1975. 

However, the prize money for the champion of this edition will be a little less than last year, after the USTA (United States Tennis Association) had to adjust the prize money allocation due to the impact of the Covid-19 in tennis, especially the lower ranked players. Here, check out how much the champions get. 

Prize money: How much do the champions of the US Open 2021 will get? 

According to the USTA, players and Tour management agreed to decrease the singles champion’s prize from its previous $3 million to $2.5 million. The runner-up prize money also was reduced to $1.25 million. This decision was made to increase the prize money for the first-round of the main draw. 

Thanks to the reduction, all the players who play the first round will receive $75,000, 23% more than last year to help the lower ranked players. In total, the 2021 US Open will set a new record in prize money with $57.5 million. 

Also, prize money was increased for each competition within the US Open, including the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and wheelchair competitions. In that order, the doubles champions will win $660,000. While the runner-ups will get $330,000.