US Open 2026 is set to begin with a mix of record prize money, historic milestones and high-profile comebacks, as the final Grand Slam of the tennis season gets underway in New York from August 30. With Novak Djokovic chasing a record 25th major, Carlos Alcaraz returning to defend his title, Aryna Sabalenka eyeing a hat-trick and Serena and Venus Williams reuniting for doubles, Flushing Meadows promises two weeks of compelling action, according to a release Record-breaking USD 108 million prize pool on the line: The stakes at Flushing Meadows have never been higher.
With more money on the line across the draw, players will be fighting for every point, setting the stage for intense, high-octane clashes from the opening serve. Djokovic chases record 25th Grand Slam title: Novak Djokovic arrives in New York with history within reach. If Djokovic can navigate the draw, his pursuit of a 25th major will be one of the biggest talking points of the tournament. With Jannik Sinner also missing the tournament, the men’s draw has opened up, giving Alcaraz an opportunity to make another deep run in New York. However, with several leading contenders in the draw, Alcaraz will have a tough road ahead if he is to retain his crown.
The US Open 2026 will offer a record USD 108 million prize pool, the largest in Grand Slam history, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each set to earn USD 5.5 million. Even first-round participants are guaranteed USD 140,000, underlining the scale of the tournament’s record financial stakes from the very outset. The Serbian is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would move him clear of Margaret Court’s tally of 24 major singles titles and give him the outright record for most Grand Slam singles titles. A four-time US Open champion, Djokovic last lifted the trophy in 2023 and has reached the final in New York a remarkable 10 times. At 39, the physical demands of another two-week campaign will be significant, but few players have a greater history of delivering on the biggest stages. The 23-year-old has already won two US Open titles and will be aiming to add another chapter to his impressive record at Flushing Meadows.
