Australian Open 2026 prize money hike draws mixed reactions; Coco Gauff and players seek greater share

Record prize money at the 2026 Australian Open sparks debate as top players, including Coco Gauff, call for increased revenue share despite the historic payout.

Australian Open (Image Credit: @AustralianOpen)

The Australian Open (AO) started on January 18 with mutiple matches played at once. Amidst the ongoing high-intensity games, AO has faced some serious concerns regarding the pay hike demand from the players. While Tournament director Craig Tiley mentioned that he hasn't received any format complaints from the players regarding the payment hike, star players like Coco Gauff have spoken about it on Monday.

The current hiked prize money of AO is $111.5 million ($74.56 million). This is more than last year’s French Open ($65.42 million) and Wimbledon ($71.60 million). But, the prize money is no where equal to the U.S. Open’s purse ($90 million).

“I’ve also spoken to the ​players directly, not through third ⁠agents, and they are very happy with the Australian Open,” Tournament director Craig Tiley told the Australian Financial Review (AFR).

Read also: AO 2026 Men’s draw: Sinner braced for early hurdles in pursuit of three-peat.

“Not one of them has shown any dissatisfaction to me about what we are ‌doing. And I’m not really concerned with what’s said ‌because I know the facts. As I said from the beginning, I believe the players should continue to ‍be paid more and more players paid more, we have 128 in the main draw and 128 qualifying (men and women), ‍so we are supporting over 500 players financially each Grand Slam," he added.

Coco Gauff opened up about pay hike in Australian Open 2026

Coco Gauff, America's number three player, has opened up on the players' demands on increase in salary in the Australian Open. She mentioned that players are going to put more pressure if their demands are not fulfilled. As per AFR report, the agents of top players met in Melbourne during the weekend to discuss the salary hike issue.

“I feel like that will ​have to be a collective decision that we would all ⁠have to talk about,” she said to the reporters.

“I do know players are going to put more pressure on the Slams if certain things aren’t being met to ⁠where we see it.”

Where to watch Australian Open 2026?

Tennis fans in India can watch the ongoing Australian Open 2026 online on Sony LIV, via OTTplay Premium.

Also read: Australian Open 2026 Day 1: Every result from Day 1

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