ATP and WTA prize money is not set by one shared pay scale. What a player earns depends on the tournament, its category, how far they advance and whether the event is part of a combined men’s and women’s tournament. At the four Grand Slams, men and women receive equal prize money in singles; across the rest of the tour, the amounts can differ.
That means “ATP versus WTA prize money” has no single season-long answer. A useful comparison looks at the same event and round, then considers the wider structure behind the payout. Just as important, a tournament’s advertised prize money is gross earnings—not what a player takes home after taxes and expenses.
Are ATP and WTA prize money equal?
Sometimes. The clearest example is the Grand Slam singles draw: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open award equal men’s and women’s singles prize money. At other events, pay depends on the tournament’s own budget and rules. Men’s and women’s tournaments may be held together at the same venue yet still have different prize pools.
Prize money is set by each tournament, not by a universal ATP-versus-WTA formula. The ATP oversees the men’s tour and the WTA oversees the women’s tour, but neither tour guarantees that every event will pay the same amount as a similarly ranked event on the other tour.
How Grand Slam prize money compares
At the majors, the singles champions receive the same prize. For example, Wimbledon paid £2.7 million to each singles champion in 2024, while the US Open paid $3.6 million to each singles champion that year. Those figures are in different currencies and come from different tournaments, so they should not be treated as a direct comparison of the tours.
Equal pay applies to more than the winners. The men’s and women’s singles draws at a Grand Slam receive matching payouts at each round, from early exits through to the final. Doubles and mixed doubles have their own prize structures, so their figures are not directly comparable to singles winnings.
Why ATP and WTA tour events can pay different amounts
Outside the majors, the prize pool depends on the event. A tournament’s category is a helpful starting point, but it does not guarantee that an ATP event and a WTA event with a similar label will offer identical payouts. Location, tournament finances, sponsorship and whether the men’s and women’s events are combined can all play a part.
Some leading tournaments stage men’s and women’s competitions at the same site. Others run separate events, sometimes in different weeks or cities. Even at a shared venue, each tour may have its own draw, schedule and allocated prize purse. So “same tournament” does not always mean one shared pot of money.
| Event type | How ATP and WTA payouts compare | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam singles | Men and women receive equal prize money at each singles round. | Compare the same year, currency and round. |
| Combined tour event | The tournaments share a venue, but their prize pools may differ. | Check the published ATP and WTA breakdowns separately. |
| Separate tour event | Prize money is set for that individual tournament and draw. | Compare event category, location and year. |
| Year-end championships | Payments can depend on wins and other event rules. | Check how much is guaranteed and how bonuses are earned. |
The winner’s cheque is only part of the story
Prize money is spread across a tournament draw, and the champion’s share can make headlines while early-round payouts matter more to many players. Someone who loses in the first round earns far less than the winner, even though they may have paid for travel, accommodation, coaching and support staff to compete.
Those costs help explain why prize money is especially important to players outside the very top ranks. A deep run can help cover a team’s expenses and fund the next stretch of the season. A first-round loss, by contrast, may leave a player with much less after costs and taxes. The exact result varies by player and country, but the advertised amount is not take-home pay.
Players can also earn money from sponsorships and exhibitions, but those earnings are separate from official tournament prize money. Ranking points are separate too: reaching a certain round can earn points as well as cash, but the two rewards are governed by different systems.
What does “equal prize money” mean on the tours?
Equal prize money is a goal the WTA has been working toward at tour events, but it does not mean that every ATP and WTA tournament already pays the same. The WTA has set a phased plan: combined events are targeted to reach equal prize money by 2027, with standalone events targeted by 2033. Progress and individual tournament arrangements can change, so check the event’s current prize breakdown rather than assuming a tour-wide rate.
It is also worth separating equality within a tournament from comparisons between tours. When a women’s and men’s event award the same amount at each round, that is parity within that event. It does not mean every WTA tournament pays as much as every ATP tournament—or that the total amount distributed across each tour’s calendar is identical.
How to compare ATP and WTA prize money fairly
- Use the same tournament year. Prize purses can rise or change from season to season.
- Compare the same stage. A champion’s cheque is not a fair match for another event’s first-round payout.
- Keep currencies in mind. A larger number in dollars may not mean a larger real payout than an amount in pounds or euros.
- Check the event format. Combined tournaments and separate events can have different budgets.
- Look beyond the champion. Round-by-round payouts show how much support players receive across the draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do men and women get the same prize money at Grand Slams?
Yes. The four Grand Slams award equal prize money to men and women in singles at every round. Other parts of the tournament, such as doubles, have separate payout structures.
Does every ATP event pay more than a WTA event?
No. Prize money varies by tournament, year and event structure. Compare specific events and rounds instead of assuming one tour always pays more.
Is prize money the same as a player’s take-home pay?
No. Prize money is the gross amount awarded. Players may still have taxes, travel, coaching, accommodation and other expenses to cover.
Where can I find the exact prize money for a tournament?
Check the tournament’s official prize-money announcement or the relevant ATP or WTA event information for that year. Make sure you are looking at the correct draw, round and currency.
Final Thoughts
ATP and WTA prize money is easiest to understand event by event. Grand Slam singles payouts are equal, while tour events set their own prize pools and may not match across the two tours. For a fair comparison, check the same year, round, currency and tournament format—and remember that the amount listed is only the player’s gross earnings, not their final take-home pay.
