Alcaraz and Sabalenka’s US Open Windfall Cut Down by Brutal Tax Hit
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka made history by taking home the largest winners’ cheques in Grand Slam tennis history after claiming victory at the 2025 US Open. Each champion received a staggering $5 million in prize money, reflecting a 39% increase from the $3.6 million awarded in 2024. This increase was part of a record-breaking $90 million prize pool, a 20% boost over the previous year, making the 2025 US Open the richest tournament in tennis history.
However, despite the headlines about their multimillion-dollar paydays, both champions will see their final take-home amounts significantly reduced due to U.S. tax laws and standard deductions. Under the U.S. federal tax system, income above $609,351 is taxed at 37%, the highest bracket. This means nearly $1.85 million of their winnings will go directly to the Internal Revenue Service.
But the deductions don’t end there. Tennis players typically pay a share of their prize money to coaches, agents, physiotherapists, and other members of their support teams. When travel and accommodation expenses are factored in, it’s estimated that Alcaraz and Sabalenka will each forfeit roughly $2 million of their $5 million prizes.
Fortunately for Alcaraz, the damage stops in the U.S. thanks to a tax treaty between Spain and the United States that prevents double taxation. Sabalenka, though originally from Belarus, lives in Miami and likely benefits from tax-friendly arrangements due to her U.S. residency. Like many elite athletes, some top tennis players establish homes in places like Monaco or the Bahamas—well-known tax havens—to protect their earnings.
Even after deductions, neither champion is likely to lose sleep over their reduced earnings. Alcaraz’s win marked his sixth Grand Slam title, pushing his career prize money to $53.5 million—placing him sixth all-time among male players. Sabalenka, with four majors to her name, has now amassed $42.3 million, ranking her fourth among women in career earnings.
