Aus Open announce huge prize money as Alcaraz and Sinner fight for record fee | Tennis | Sport

January 6, 2026 3,215

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and co. will battle it out for the biggest cheque in Australian Open history this month, as organisers confirmed a huge boost in prize money. A tournament record purse of £55m (A$111.5m) is on offer, with the men’s and women’s singles champions taking home £2.059m (A$4.15m)

The overall prize money purse is up 16 per cent overall on last year, while the singles champion cheque is 19 per cent higher than in 2025. The Australian Open kicks off on January 18, with the women’s final staged on Saturday, January 31, and the men’s final taking place on Sunday, February 1.

Announcing the boost in prize money, Australian Open tournament director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said: “This 16 per cent increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level. From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 per cent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we’re ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors.

“This investment strengthens tennis’s foundation, ensuring the sport’s long-term health and commercial growth. By supporting players at all levels, we’re building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans.”

Last year, champions Sinner and Madison Keys took home £1.7m (A$3.5m) for lifting the title. Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open crown, beating Alexander Zverev in the final, while Keys won a long-awaited first Major title, upsetting Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka back-to-back. Should they retain their titles, Sinner and Keys would earn an extra £300k for their efforts this time around, but they’ll have stiff competition.

World No. 1 Alcaraz is hoping to complete the career Grand Slam in Australia, while 10-time champion Djokovic is hunting his first Major title in more than two years. Swiatek is also looking to complete the career Grand Slam by winning a maiden Australian Open title this month, and Sabalenka – who won the tournament in 2023 and 2024 – will want to get her hands on the trophy once again.

As the players prepare to battle it out for the first Grand Slam title of the year, and a cool £2m winners’ cheque, Express Sport breaks down the full round-by-round prize money for the Australian Open singles draws.

Main draw:

Winner: £2.059m (A$4.15M)

Runner-up: £1.07m (A$2.15M)

Semi-final: £620k (A$1.25M)

Quarter-final: £372k (A$750k)

Fourth round: £238k (A$480k)

Third round: £162.65k (A$327.75k)

Second round: £112k (A$225k)

First round: £74k (A$150k)

Qualifying:

First round: £20k (A$40.5k)

Second round: £28k (A$57k)