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US Open sets tennis history with record $5.5m prize for singles champions. TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Aug 20, 2026, 21:27 IST (Pic credit: US Open) The US Open is set to offer the biggest prize in Grand Slam tennis history, with the 2026 singles champions taking home $5.5 million each as the total player compensation for the tournament rises to a record $108 million. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced the prize-money structure on Thursday, ahead of the tournament's start next week. The overall purse represents a 20% increase from last year and a staggering 44% jump since 2024, underlining the growing financial scale of the final Grand Slam of the season. The singles champions' payout has risen from the $5 million earned by Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka in 2025. Even players who lose in the first round of the 128-player singles main draw will receive a record $140,000. Record payouts across the draw. The increase extends throughout the singles draw, with the quarterfinalists set to earn $780,000 and semifinalists receiving $1.45 million. The runners-up will take home $2.8 million, meaning the two singles champions will each earn nearly twice as much as the losing finalists. Doubles players will also benefit from the increased purse. The winning teams in the men's, women's and mixed doubles competitions will split $1 million, while the runners-up will share $500,000. The wheelchair singles champions will receive $104,000. The USTA has also announced a new player support programme, with an initial commitment of $2 million to be divided equally between men's and women's players. The programme will provide additional benefits and complement existing pension funds. USTA CEO Craig Tiley described the move as an important step in strengthening the financial support available to players. "This is a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the U.S. Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform in tennis for players, fans and partners," Tiley said. Join conversation Players get greater voice amid revenue focus. The announcement comes at a time when player compensation and their involvement in Grand Slam decision-making have come under increased scrutiny. The USTA's new programme will be developed with guidance from the Grand Slam Player Council, whose creation was also announced Thursday. The council is intended to give players a greater voice in discussions around the four Grand Slam tournaments, including compensation and player welfare. "Having a seat at the table with the Grand Slams is something we have wanted for some time, so I'm really pleased to see this council come together," American player Ben Shelton said. "It gives us, as players, a real opportunity to have a voice, contribute to the conversation and help shape the tournaments beyond what happens on the court." The 2026 US Open begins on August 23 and concludes with the men's singles final on September 13. Alcaraz is the defending men's champion, while Sabalenka enters as the women's champion for the second consecutive year. At TOI Sports Desk, reporters work around the clock to bring you comprehensive updates from the world of sports. Expect nuanced match reports, previews, and reviews, along with statistics-based technical analysis, the latest social media trends, and expert insights across cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey, motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics, and more. End of Article Last-minute offer: Up to 50% offNow's your chance to book your next beach getaway. Take advantage of this last-minute offer with up to 50% off through Palladium Rewards using the promo code PROMO!Palladium Hotel Group | Sponsored

USTA Pacific Northwest to revitalize Portland Tennis Center, bringing year-round play and expanded access to portlanders. 25-year partnership brings a $2.3 million investment and builds on USTA PNW's track record operating award-winning community tennis centers across the PNW. Newsmatics Inc. is proud to partner with Portland Parks & Recreation to preserve and invest in the rich legacy of the Portland Tennis Center as a publicly accessible community asset and to expand tennis play." - Matthew Warren PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Following a recent announcement from Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), USTA Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW) confirmed it will operate the Portland Tennis Center (PTC) through a long-term partnership with the City and invest approximately $2.3 million to modernize the publicly owned facility. The agreement preserves the center as open and accessible to the community over a 25-year term. "Tennis has the power to transform lives, bring people together, improve health and strengthen communities," said Matthew Warren, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of USTA Pacific Northwest. "We are proud to partner with Portland Parks & Recreation to preserve and invest in the rich legacy of the Portland Tennis Center as a publicly accessible community asset and to expand tennis play opportunities for future generations." Under the agreement, the City retains ownership of the Portland Tennis Center while USTA PNW takes on day-to-day operations and responsibility for facility improvements through a 25-year operating lease. A companion license agreement allows USTA PNW to also program tennis at select City-owned outdoor courts, connecting neighborhood play with the region's premier indoor tennis facility. USTA PNW's investment will fund a complete replacement of the main building's roof and ceiling liner, along with a brand-new tennis dome. The current dome no longer meets the needs of year-round play; the replacement will bring upgraded heating, cooling, and backup power, creating a more reliable and comfortable experience for players. The investment also funds new energy-efficient LED lighting engineered to eliminate on-court shadows - a meaningful difference for players tracking a fast-moving ball - along with a rebuilt, better-insulated interior and modernized technology. The work draws on USTA PNW's track record operating community tennis centers across the region, including Vancouver Tennis Center, recipient of the 2025 Racquet Sports Industry Public Facility of the Year award, along with the Galbraith Tennis Center in Tacoma and the Mint Valley Tennis Center in Longview. USTA PNW was also named a Top Workplace by The Oregonian in 2024 and 2025. Across Washington, Oregon, Alaska and parts of Idaho, USTA Pacific Northwest serves more than 1.3 million tennis players in one of the fastest-growing tennis regions in the country. Through more than 300 community partnerships with schools, parks, recreation departments, clubs and community organizations, USTA PNW creates more than 40,000 RecTennis play opportunities annually while also supporting leagues, tournaments and competitive play for players of all ages and abilities. Together, these programs expand opportunities for youth, families, beginners and lifelong players throughout Portland and across the Pacific Northwest. "Strong partnerships create strong communities," said China Kirk, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director of USTA Pacific Northwest. "We are honored to build on the Portland Tennis Center legacy, expand play opportunities, and serve players and families for generations to come." Public access remains at the heart of the partnership. USTA PNW will maintain roughly the same operating hours the community relies on today, offer complimentary membership through its inaugural year to everyone in the Portland community, affordable pricing, need-based scholarships and free loaner equipment. USTA PNW will host two community town halls - one virtual and one in person - open to residents across the greater Portland area to walk through the partnership, share how it will strengthen access to tennis in Portland, highlight new community resources and programming, review the revitalization timeline and FAQs, and answer questions from the community. The Portland Tennis Center's final day of City operations will be August 31. USTA PNW will assume operations beginning September 1. The facility will close for approximately 16-20 weeks to support the revitalization work. USTA PNW will communicate the confirmed reopening timeline, and continuity plans well in advance and look forward to welcoming the community back to a revitalized Portland Tennis Center. Additional information, including construction updates, FAQs, and future programming details, will be available at ustapnw.org/PortlandFAQs and updated throughout the transition. About USTA Pacific Northwest USTA Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW) manages tennis across Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of Idaho, with a mission to grow the game of tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1904 and headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, USTA PNW connects more than 1.3 million people to the game each year through a network of more than 300 community partnerships - including clubs, facilities, coaches, schools, and cities - and serves players of all ages and abilities across recreational and competitive play. 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