The 2026 Australian Open is bringing some serious cash to Melbourne. We’re talking about a massive $111.5 million prize pool that’s got players pretty excited about the year’s first Grand Slam.
And honestly, who can blame them?
The champions will walk away with A$4.15 million each – that’s a hefty 19% bump from what Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys earned last year. Not too shabby for two weeks’ work.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|
Speaking of Sinner, he’s got a shot at making Australian Open history. A third straight title would pretty much cement his dominance Down Under. The Italian has looked unstoppable at Melbourne Park, and he’s clearly the man to beat again.
But Carlos Alcaraz has other plans.
The Spanish star is hunting for that elusive Australian Open crown – the only Grand Slam missing from his collection. He’s even promised to get a tattoo if he completes the Career Grand Slam. Talk about motivation.
Don’t count out Novak Djokovic either. Sure, he hasn’t won a Grand Slam in over two years, but this is the tournament he’s conquered ten times. The Serbian legend even skipped the Adelaide International to focus entirely on Melbourne.
Women’s Draw Heating Up
Aryna Sabalenka is hungry to reclaim her throne. The Belarusian won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 before Keys stopped her three-peat dreams with that heartbreaking 5-7 deciding set loss.
She’s the top seed and has every reason to believe she can bounce back.
The field is loaded with contenders though. Coco Gauff recently lost her American No. 1 ranking and will be looking to make a statement. Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, and rising star Mirra Andreeva are all eyeing their first Australian Open breakthrough.
That prize money increase isn’t just for the winners either. Even losing finalists will collect A$2.15 million – a 13% jump from last year. Both runner-ups also get 1,300 ranking points, regardless of gender.
The Money Gets Interesting
Here’s where things get a bit quirky. The ranking points system isn’t exactly equal between men and women once you get past the semifinals.
Male semifinalists earn 800 points compared to 780 for women. But from the quarterfinals down, the women actually come out ahead in the points game.
Female quarterfinalists get 430 points versus 400 for men. That 30-point difference might not sound like much, but every point matters when you’re climbing the rankings.
The prize money stays the same though – A$750,000 for reaching the quarters, no matter which draw you’re in.
Make it to the fourth round? You’re guaranteed A$480,000. Again, women get more points here – 240 compared to 200 for the men.
Even early exits pay pretty well. Lose in the first round and you still walk away with A$150,000 and 10 points. That’s the same for everyone, which seems fair enough.
The third round brings A$327,750, while second-round exits earn A$225,000. Once again, women get slightly better point rewards at both stages.
It’s an interesting system that clearly values women’s tennis achievements, especially in the middle rounds. Whether this trend continues at other tournaments remains to be seen.
2026 Australian Open Prize Money and ATP & WTA Points Overview:
| Round | ATP Points | WTA Points | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 2,000 points | 2,000 points | A$4,150,000 |
| Finalist | 1,300 points | 1,300 points | A$2,150,000 |
| Semi-finalists | 800 points | 780 points | A$1,250,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | 400 points | 430 points | A$750,000 |
| 4th round | 200 points | 240 points | A$480,000 |
| 3rd round | 100 points | 130 points | A$327,750 |
| 2nd round | 50 points | 70 points | A$225,000 |
| 1st round | 10 points | 10 points | A$150,000 |
With this kind of money on the line, expect some seriously competitive tennis in Melbourne. The tournament kicks off what should be a fascinating year in tennis – and everyone’s bank account is going to benefit from the increased prize pool.
