Tennis 571036

French Open Prize Money: Tracking the Growth of Tournament Earnings Since 1968 f6yo

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By
Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published04 Jun 2025

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The year 1968 proved to be a turning point in tennis, as professionals got the license to compete in Grand Slam tournaments. The Open era, as we know it, began, taking the French Open and other major tournaments to a global audience. 

Since the Open era began, the prize money of the French Open, aka Roland-Garros, has been growing at a breakneck pace. SportsCasting takes a closer look, exploring how it has changed over the decades.

French Open Prize Money: A Story of Linear Growth Over the Decades 4g6o16

French Open Prize Fund: How Much Money Was On Offer In the 1960s and 1970s? 1e2y59

With tennis finding its feet, French Open prize money was considerably modest by today’s lofty standards. The total prize money for the tournament was only 250,000 French Francs or approximately £32,012 (€38,109).

The singles men’s winner received 15,000 Francs (approximately £1,921 (€2,287)) while the singles female champion got around 5,000 Francs (approximately £640 (€762)).

French Open prize money remained pretty consistent over the following years, as winning athletes did not get more than a few thousand Euros (for example, €3,000 would be approximately £2,520).

French Open Prize Money During The 1970s and 1980s 3a5t6l

Throughout the 1970s, prize money at Roland-Garros was steadily increasing. By 1980, the total prize money for the tournament had increased to approximately £302,400 (€360,000).

There was a notable disparity between men’s and women’s payouts. While the men’s singles winner pocketed around £28,560 (€34,000), the women’s top prize winner had to settle for around £22,680 (€27,000).

French Open Prize Money During The 1990s and 2000s 383f65

The 1980s saw a steady interest in tennis throughout the world, which helped the sport lock in attractive TV deals. By the time 1990 rolled in, the French Open prize money had soared to an eye-popping approximately £4.07 million (€4.85 million).

TV deals and revenues only increased in the following decade, and the total prize money available at the French Open stood at approximately £8.90 million (€10.6 million).

This decade also saw the concept of equal pay. In 2006, the French Open committee vowed to ensure equal prize money for men’s and women’s singles winners. This was revolutionary for Roland-Garros, as they had finally caught up to the other tennis majors that had welcomed equality.

French Open Prize Money During The 2010s 1y6q1u

In the 2000s, tennis found momentum, and it only grew in the 2010s. In the 2010 French Open, both men’s and women’s singles winners secured approximately £0.94 million (€1.12 million).

Five years later, in 2015, the prize money rose to approximately £1.51 million (€1.8 million) each. By 2019, singles winners were taking home approximately £1.93 million (€2.3 million) each, with the entire prize pool going over approximately £33.6 million (€40 million).

French Open Prize Money During The 2020s 4t3a1f

The 2020s got off to a rocky start due to COVID, but they did not let their momentum drop.

In the 2020 French Open, the total prize money was set at approximately £31.92 million (€38 million). By 2022, it climbed up to approximately £36.62 million (€43.6 million). The following year, it was approximately £41.66 million (€49.6 million) and around £44.92 million (€53.48 million) in 2024.

This year, the French Open prize money is set at approximately £47.34 million (€56.352 million).

French Open Prize Money: Compared to Other Grand Slams in 2025 6tz11

The 2025 French Open, aka Roland-Garros, has almost £50 million on offer. It is the second Grand Slam of the year.

The year began with the Australian Open in January. After the French Open, we will have the iconic Wimbledon. And finally, the Grand Slam season will close with the US Open.

Australian Open 2025 Prize Money 6a6z5i

The 2025 Australian Open had a prize money of approximately £50.18 million (AUD 96.5 million). The winning singles players, in both male and female categories, took home £1.82 million (AUD 3.5 million).

The total prize money for the Australian Open saw a 12% increase from last year.

Wimbledon 2025 Prize Money 1y4u6p

Wimbledon, which will be held in July, has yet to announce the prize money for 2025. Last year, however, the tournament had a £50 million kitty. Singles champions each received £2.7 million.

Since Wimbledon generally increases its prize money, we are expecting a bump from last year.

US Open 2025 Prize Money rfx

Like Wimbledon, we do not have confirmation for the 2025 US Open prize money. This tournament, which generally takes place in August/September, saw a record £59.25 million (USD $75 million) in prize money available last year.

The men’s and women’s singles champions each earned £2.84 million ($3.6 million).

Prize Money Summary 61324s

  • Based on recent data, the US Open has the highest total prize pool at around £59.25 million ($75 million in 2024).
  • The Australian Open 2025 is in second with a total of approximately £50.18 million (AUD 96.5 million).
  • Wimbledon 2024 announced a total of £50 million. It could be slightly higher this year.
  • The French Open 2025 offers a total of approximately £47.34 million (€56.352 million).
  • Coming to singles payouts, the US Open is in the lead with £2.84 million in 2024.
  • Wimbledon may be a close second at £2.7 million.
  • The French Open is third at £2.14 million.
  • The Australian Open was at £1.82 million.