The US Open is set to surpass its pre-pandemic prize money record in time for the 2021 fortnight, announcing a total purse of $57.5 million dollars—up from the $57.24 offered in 2019.
“With the US Open’s greatest return—fans on-site and full draws across all competitions—we know that 2021 will be an historic year for this great tournament,” said Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director.
The first-round main-draw prize money is now $75,000, a 23% increase from 2020, when the total purse had come down to $53.4 million in light of the lack of on-site fans.
While more prize money is dispersed to those exiting in the earlier rounds, the men’s and women’s singles champion prize has been decreased from its previous $3 million to $2.5 million. The runner-up prize money was also reduced, to $1.25 million.
“We determined our round-by-round prize money allocations by engaging in an open dialogue with the players and the management of both tours,” notes Allaster. “We applaud their collective leadership in directing the 2021 US Open prize money to benefit the maximum number of players.”
Prize money was also increased for doubles, with the champions set to take home $660,000 split between the teams.
The 2021 US Open Qualifying Tournament, which is set to begin on Tuesday, will now offer nearly $6 million in prize money, a 66% increase over 2019. US Open qualifying was not held in 2020.
Main draw action will begin on August 30.