Australian Open announces record prize money amid player pressure on Grand Slams
The Australian Open has unveiled a substantial 16% increase in prize money for the 2026 tournament, raising the total purse to a record $111.5 million AUD ($75 million USD). This move places the year's first Grand Slam ahead of Wimbledon's 2025 offering but still behind the U.S. Open's all-time high.
The champions will receive $2.8 million each, a 19% year-over-year increase, while first-round losers will get $100,761, a 14% boost. The increase responds directly to mounting pressure from top players and advocacy groups seeking a greater share of tournament revenues.
However, the core issue for player representatives remains the percentage of revenue allocated to prize money. While exact figures are complex due to Tennis Australia's broader revenue streams, the prize pool is estimated to represent roughly 16% of related income—a standard proportion for Grand Slams but one players are actively challenging.
A coalition of top stars, including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Carlos Alcaraz, has reportedly pushed for this share to increase to 22% by 2030. This target would align more closely with ATP and WTA Tour events, though it remains far below the approximate 50% revenue share common in major North American sports leagues.
According to a source familiar with player discussions, while the headline increase is appreciated, key demands regarding revenue-based prize money adjustments, greater player consultation, and enhanced welfare contributions have largely gone unaddressed.
This financial pressure is also a central pillar of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) against the sport's governing bodies, including the Grand Slams. The PTPA recently reached an undisclosed settlement with Tennis Australia, though lawsuits against the other three majors and the tours continue. The movement's landscape shifted recently with Novak Djokovic, the PTPA's co-founder, announcing his departure from the organization.
The Australian Open main draw begins on January 18, with qualifiers starting on January 12.
