Wed, January 07, 2026
Australian Open prize pool hits record A$111.5m after Tennis Australia revenue surge
Following a significant rise in its revenue, up A$102m from the previous period, partly due to factors such as money generated from commercial, broadcast and government partners and ticket sales, as well as a significant increase in investment in the sport and entertainment technology industry, Tennis Australia has increased the Australian Open prize pool money to a record high amount.
This year’s Australian Open, which will take place between 12 January – 1 February, will have a prize pool of A$111.5m, which is a 16% increase from last year. In 2025, the prize pool money for Wimbledon was A$108m (£53.5m). The US Open still takes the lead as it offered A$134m (US$90m), according to The Guardian.
At this year’s Australian Open, the men’s and women’s singles champions can expect A$4.15m each, last year this was A$3.5m, and those who do not qualify in the first round can still expect at least A$40,500, also up 16% from 2025.
Tennis Australia’s Chief Executive, Craig Tiley, stated: “This 16% increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level…
From boosting qualifying prize money by 55% since 2023, to enhancing player benefits, we’re ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors.”
Compensation for Tiley and his senior staff in 2025 increased to A$11.1m, an increase of 7% from 2024.
Tennis Australia has also announced that for the 2026 Australian Open, it has increased travel assistance by 67%. It also supports with welfare initiatives.
However, in 2025, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) filed an antitrust lawsuit against the major tennis governing bodies, claiming that the bodies were harming players’ rights and earnings. This extended to include the four Grand Slam organisers, so Tennis Australia was included. The settlement is reportedly being finalised now. Though, a source close to the players has told BBC Sport that they will “likely be disappointed” because despite such increases, player demands are still being “largely ignored.” Players have been vocal about greater contributions into pension, healthcare and maternity rights as well, for example.
The Australian Financial Review reported Tennis Australia’s income, which is largely created by the Australian Open, to have been A$697.2m in the last reporting period, so this year’s prize money is roughly 16% of this revenue.
Tensions have also increased within the professional tennis community following Novak Djokovic leaving the PTPA this week despite cofounding the organisation in 2020.
