The Price of Victory: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka win a record $5M... and owe a fortune in taxes

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka took home the largest monetary prize in Grand Slam history, each pocketing $5 million for winning the title. The Belarusian defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to lift her fourth Grand Slam title, while it took Alcaraz four sets to overcome Jannik Sinner and secure his sixth major title.

It was a weekend of the highest level of tennis, which crowned the new US Open champions. In the women's draw, Sabalenka became the first female player to successfully defend the title—which she had won in 2024 by defeating Jessica Pegula—seeing her winnings increase by an extra 38% (in 2024, she had received $3.6 million for winning the title).

For Alcaraz, in 2024 he had 'only' pocketed $140,000 for reaching the second round (where he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp). This time, he received a prize of $5 million, which is 35 times the prize he received last year.

However, the $5 million prize is subject to taxes, and a good percentage of the total will go to federal taxes in the United States. According to local law, earnings over $609,351 are subject to a 37% tax rate, the highest bracket of federal income taxes. This means a total of $1.85 million in taxes, leaving both players with a direct earning of $3.15 million after taxes.

Carlos Alcaraz's Record-Breaking Year

By far, Alcaraz has had his best year in terms of earnings after winning the US Open title, his second Grand Slam title of the year and seventh title of the season. The Spaniard pocketed $5 million (before taxes), which brings his total earnings for the season to $15.6 million.

The new world No. 1 holds two Grand Slam titles, three ATP Masters 1000 titles, and two ATP 500 titles, in addition to reaching the finals at the Barcelona Open (ATP 500) and Wimbledon. Alcaraz has a record of 61-6 for the season—getting more titles than losses so far this year. In his career to date, he has an incredible record of 270-62, a total of 23 titles (six Grand Slams), and prize money that totals $53.4 million.

Aryna Sabalenka's Success

Sabalenka is another player who has substantially increased her prize money and has moved into first place in the season's earnings, reporting nearly 40% of her total earnings thanks to her notable campaign at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka has $12.1 million in earnings for the year—$5 million of which was from her title this weekend in New York.

Her record for the year is 56-10, with four titles: two WTA 1000 (Miami and Madrid), one WTA 500 (Brisbane), and the US Open. She has also had notable campaigns in major tournaments, being the player with the most victories in Grand Slam tournaments (record of 23-3, equaling her 2023 record), falling in the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and the semifinals of Wimbledon.

Sabalenka reaches a career record of 472-198 and 21 titles, including four Grand Slams. Her total career prize money is $42.3 million, which places her only behind the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus) and Poland's Iga Swiatek.