Winning the US Open is the dream of every tennis player. For Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, lifting the 2025 US Open trophies came with historic prize money a record $5 million each. But here’s the catch: both champions will only walk away with around $3 million after taxes, coaching fees, and travel costs.
Yes, you read that right nearly $2 million vanished before the money even hit their accounts. Let’s break down why two of the sport’s biggest stars just lost millions despite making history in New York.
According to American tax law, income over $609,351 is taxed at the highest federal rate of 37%. That means the bulk of Alcaraz and Sabalenka’s $5m checks were immediately cut down by around $1.85m each.
Add in payments to coaches, agents, fitness staff, and travel expenses, and their net earnings shrink to just over $3 million. Fans were stunned by the math, asking: “How can champions lose almost half their winnings?”
For Carlos Alcaraz, who resides in Spain, the news isn’t all bad. Thanks to a Spain–US double taxation treaty, he won’t be taxed again when returning home. His victory — the 6th Grand Slam title of his career also boosted his total career earnings to $53.5m, ranking him sixth on the all-time men’s list.
For Aryna Sabalenka, the situation is more complicated. Although she represents Belarus, she spends much of her time in Miami, partly for tax reasons. Like many top athletes, she could choose to set up residence in Monaco or the Bahamas, two tax-free havens that have become magnets for wealthy tennis stars.
Even after the $2m hit, Sabalenka’s latest title pushed her career earnings past $42.3m, making her the fourth-highest earner in women’s tennis history.
This year’s US Open smashed financial records, with a staggering $90 million distributed across all players up from $75m in 2024. The $5m singles champion payout represented a 39% increase from last year’s $3.6m.
It was a landmark moment for tennis economics, but also a wake-up call about the cost of success. Even at the top, taxes and expenses eat into the dream payday.
While losing $2m might sound devastating, for players like Sabalenka and Alcaraz it’s a minor dent. Their real value lies in endorsements, sponsorships, and global branding, which often dwarf tournament winnings.
Still, the story highlights why so many champions relocate to tax-friendly countries once they hit stardom. In the world of elite tennis, location can be just as important as domination.
Alcaraz and Sabalenka may have lost nearly 40% of their historic prize money, but their US Open triumphs solidified their legacies and kept them at the top of the tennis world. The trophies remain priceless, even if the paychecks don’t.
