Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning the men's final against Taylor Fritz of USA at the 2024 US Open. Photo: JEAN CATUFFE / AFP
The US Open has announced a 20 percent increase in prize-money for this year's final tennis major.
The purse is now up to US$90 million (NZ$152 million), marking the largest purse in tennis history.
Top players in the ATP and WTA called for more equitable distribution of revenue at the four Grand Slams this year, as those at the top of the game are able to benefit from increased prize money while players at the lower levels often struggle.
The US Open prize pool is up from $75m (NZ$126m) in 2024, the previous highest-ever purse.
Men's and women's singles winners will earn US$5m each, up from $3.6m last year.
The tournament will also see double-digit percentage increases across all rounds in all events, after "years of a strategic focus on redistribution to the early rounds and qualifying tournament", organisers said.
Singles action at the US Open has been expanded to 15 days, amid booming attendance, and will take place from 24 August to 7 September.
A new format in the mixed doubles is being introduced this year, with the event featuring many big-name singles players as it will be taking place over two days in the week before the main competition kicks off at Flushing Meadows.
US Open attendance topped one million fans for the first time in 2024.
-Reuters
