Carlos Alcaraz Could Lose Nearly Half of His $5 Million US Open 2025 Prize Money

Carlos Alcaraz may have lifted the 2025 US Open trophy in front of a roaring Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd and walked away with the biggest paycheck in tennis history but his in-hand reward tells a different story.

The 22-year-old Spanish sensation defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster final on Sunday, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his sixth Grand Slam title. For the victory, Alcaraz earned a record-breaking $5 million – the highest ever awarded to a singles champion at any of the four Grand Slams.

But here’s the catch: he may end up pocketing only about half of it.

The Price of Winning Big in New York

The 2025 US Open made headlines even before the first ball was hit, thanks to a massive 20% hike in the overall prize money pool. The tournament’s total payout jumped from $75 million in 2024 to a staggering $90 million this year, with the men’s and women’s singles winners both earning $5 million – up from last year’s $3.6 million.

However, as generous as that reward sounds, a large chunk is set to go straight into the hands of the U.S. tax authorities.

According to Daily Express, Alcaraz will fall into the highest federal income tax bracket in the United States, which is 37% for earnings over $609,351. That alone slices off roughly $1.7 million from his prize money.

Then comes the New York state tax, which imposes 9.65% on income between $1.08 million and $5 million. That’s another significant deduction.

When all is said and done, Alcaraz’s take-home pay could be closer to $2.5 million – just half of what the US Open winner’s cheque says.

Hidden Costs Behind the Glory

And that’s not all. The costs of competing at a Grand Slam – especially over a two-week stretch in an expensive city like New York – add up quickly.

From accommodation and meals for his team, to physio sessions, travel, and the coaching entourage that travels with him, tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars go into tournament logistics. And don’t forget that Alcaraz also pays a percentage of his prize money to his team members as part of standard arrangements in elite tennis.

Still, the Future Is Bright

While losing nearly half of a $5 million payday might sound brutal, Alcaraz is unlikely to lose sleep over it. At just 22 years old, the Spaniard is already rewriting tennis history. This US Open win marks his sixth Grand Slam title, and he now leads 10-5 in head-to-head matchups against Sinner, his most consistent rival in recent years.

Alcaraz is not just a Grand Slam champion – he’s a brand, a global star, and one of the richest rising athletes in the world. Sponsorships, endorsements, and appearance fees all ensure that his income extends far beyond what he earns on court.

So while Uncle Sam may take his share, Alcaraz’s future – both on the court and in his bank account – looks nothing short of golden.