'There's still more money to be made' - Sloane Stephens on the increase in prize money at the 2025 US Open

Former champion Sloane Stephens believes there is more work to be done, after it was announced that the US Open would increase it's total prize money pool by 20%, starting at this year's edition in a few weeks.

The American defeated compatriot Madison Keys 6-3 6-0 to win her sole Grand Slam title at the 2017 US Open. Stephens had been sidelined for 11 months due to foot surgery and was unranked when she entered the tournament.

The victory catapulted Stephens from 975th in the world to World No.17, earning her the WTA Comeback Player of the Year. The Florida native would go to to reach a career-high ranking of World No.3, in addition to reaching the French Open final the following year.

However, Stephens has been battling several injuries over the last few years. The 32-year old has made sporadic appearances on the WTA tour, with her last event being an opening round loss at the Merida Open earlier this year.

Stephens pleased at prize money increase but believes more can be done

After it was announced that the US Open would offer a 20% increase in the total prize money pool at this year's event, Stephens delved into the matter in an appearance on CNN.

"There's still more money to be made," said Stephens when asked if the new prize money was sufficient. "There are still more opportunity. We are working, we are going in that direction.
"I do think that the Slams have a lot of control over what happens and how much money we are allocated. These things take a long time. It is a very 50-50 type of business relationship and we don't obviously get anywhere near 50%.
"So to be able to raise the prize money and have a little bit more of a fair balance, I think that's what we're going for."