The 2026 Australian Open will offer the largest prize money pot in the tournament’s history, with players competing for a total of A$111.5 million (£55 million) when the season’s first Grand Slam begins in Melbourne on January 18.

While the headline figure represents a 16% increase on last year and has been welcomed as a financial boost across the field, player representatives have indicated that many competitors remain frustrated — arguing that the increase does not go far enough in addressing their broader demands around revenue sharing and long-term welfare.

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Singles Champions to Receive £2.05m After Major Increase

The men’s and women’s singles champions at the Australian Open will each earn A$4.15 million (£2.05 million), marking a 19% rise compared to the prize money collected by Madison Keys and Jannik Sinner after their 2025 triumphs.

Importantly, the prize money growth extends beyond the top stars. All singles and doubles players competing in the main draw will receive a minimum 10% increase, a move designed to support players throughout the rankings.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley framed the decision as part of a broader commitment to the sport’s ecosystem.

“This increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level,” Tiley said.

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Player Pressure on Grand Slams Continues

Despite the record-breaking prize fund, a source close to a group of leading players told BBC Sport that many athletes are “likely to be disappointed”, believing their key demands have largely been ignored.

In October, a coalition of top players intensified calls for reform across the four Grand Slams — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. High-profile names including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev are among those pushing for:

• A higher share of tournament revenue to go directly to players
• Greater consultation over the structure and scheduling of the sport
• Increased Grand Slam contributions to pension, healthcare and maternity funds

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Revenue Share Remains a Sticking Point

Although Tennis Australia’s full 2025 financial accounts have yet to be published, reports from the Australian Financial Review estimate that the governing body generated approximately A$697.2 million (£346 million) in total revenue, largely driven by the Australian Open.

Based on those figures, the 2026 prize money represents roughly 16% of total revenue, a proportion players believe is too low.

By comparison:

• The US Open distributed around 16% of revenue to players
• Wimbledon paid approximately 13%
• The French Open does not publicly disclose its revenue share

Players are seeking a staged increase over the next five years, aiming for a target closer to 22%, which aligns with the payout ratios seen at some combined ATP and WTA tour events.

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Australian Open Now Leads Three of the Four Grand Slams

With the latest increase, the Australian Open now offers more prize money than Wimbledon (£53.5m) and the French Open (£47.5m) did in 2025. However, it still trails the US Open, which remains the most lucrative Grand Slam with a £67.4m prize fund.

The financial escalation reflects the growing commercial power of the Australian Open, which continues to expand its global audience and sponsorship portfolio.

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Bigger Money, Bigger Questions

While the increased prize fund will undoubtedly benefit players — particularly those in the early rounds — it also underscores the growing tension between tennis’s biggest tournaments and its athletes.

With discussions around player welfare, workload, and financial sustainability becoming more urgent, the Australian Open’s announcement may be seen less as a final solution and more as another chapter in an ongoing debate about the future of professional tennis.

The 2026 Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne on January 18, with attention split between on-court action and off-court negotiations.