A player can win three matches before the main draw of a Grand Slam and still leave with far less than someone who loses in the first round. That gap is why qualifying prize money matters: it helps cover the cost of chasing a place in the tournament, but the biggest financial jump usually comes from getting into the main draw.
The exact amounts change each year, and each Grand Slam sets its own schedule. The figures below use the tournaments’ published 2024 prize-money tables as a like-for-like example; they are not 2026 rates. For the current amount, check the relevant tournament’s official prize-money schedule.
How Grand Slam qualifying prize money works
Singles qualifying normally has three rounds. Players who lose in each round receive a set amount for reaching that stage. A player who wins the final qualifying round earns a place in the main draw, where the main-draw prize schedule applies.
In general, the qualifying-round amount is not added to the main-draw amount. A player who wins the third qualifying round and then loses in the main draw receives the first-round main-draw prize, rather than that prize plus a separate third-round qualifying payment. A player who loses in the final qualifying round receives the third-round qualifying amount.
That distinction can make one match especially valuable. Reaching the main draw can mean a sizable increase even before a player wins a main-draw match. The precise difference depends on the tournament and year.
2024 qualifying payouts at the four Grand Slams
This table compares singles qualifying payouts for players who lost in each qualifying round. The currencies are different, so the amounts should not be compared directly without accounting for exchange rates and local costs.
| Tournament | Qualifying round 1 | Qualifying round 2 | Qualifying round 3 | Main-draw first round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | A$31,250 | A$44,100 | A$65,000 | A$120,000 |
| Roland-Garros | €20,000 | €28,000 | €40,000 | €73,000 |
| Wimbledon | £15,000 | £25,000 | £40,000 | £60,000 |
| US Open | US$25,000 | US$38,000 | US$50,000 | US$100,000 |
For example, at the 2024 US Open, a player who lost in the final qualifying round received US$50,000. A qualifier who then lost in the main-draw first round received the US$100,000 first-round award instead. The financial reward for making the main draw was therefore substantial, although it came with the extra cost and pressure of competing in the next stage.
These are tournament prize amounts, not take-home pay. Tax, coaching, travel, accommodation, and other expenses can reduce what a player keeps. Costs also vary: a player already travelling with a coach and support team may face a different bill from someone paying for each trip and service themselves.
Why qualifying money matters to players
For players outside the direct-entry cut, qualifying is both a sporting opportunity and a financial gamble. Reaching a Grand Slam qualifying event does not guarantee a main-draw place, and players may need to pay for travel, lodging, practice, and coaching before they know how many matches they will play. A first-round loss in qualifying still brings prize money, but it may not cover every expense.
That makes the round-by-round structure important. A player who loses early receives less than one who advances, and the increase at each stage can help offset the costs of staying at the tournament. But one strong week does not necessarily produce a lasting financial cushion: players have to keep competing, and expenses continue between events.
Qualifying can also be a route to a much larger payday. Emma Raducanu came through three qualifying rounds at the 2021 US Open and went on to win the title. Her run is an extraordinary example, not a typical outcome, but it shows why qualifying places are valuable: they give players outside the main-draw entry list a chance to compete for the tournament’s much larger main-draw awards.
What can affect the amount a player receives?
- The tournament and year: Each Slam publishes its own schedule, and prize money may rise or change from one edition to the next.
- The round reached: A player’s qualifying payout depends on the stage at which they are eliminated. Reaching the main draw moves them onto the main-draw schedule.
- Currency and tax: The listed amount is paid in the tournament’s currency, and tax obligations depend on a player’s circumstances and applicable rules.
- Withdrawal or retirement: Prize-money treatment can depend on when and why a player withdraws or stops playing. Players should check the event rules rather than assume every situation is treated like a completed loss.
Prize money is also separate from ranking points. A player may earn money by progressing through qualifying, but ranking points are awarded under the ATP or WTA rules for the event and stage reached. The two systems are related to tournament performance, but they are not the same payment or calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do players get paid for losing in Grand Slam qualifying?
Yes. Players who lose in qualifying generally receive the prize amount assigned to the round they reached. The amount differs by Slam and changes over time.
Does a qualifier receive qualifying money as well as main-draw prize money?
Generally, no. A player who wins the final qualifying round and enters the main draw moves onto the main-draw prize schedule. If they lose in the first round, they receive the first-round main-draw award, not that award plus a separate payment for winning the last qualifying match.
Is qualifying prize money the same for men and women?
At the Grand Slam singles events, the published prize money is equal for men and women. The specific amounts still depend on the tournament and year.
Where can I find the current qualifying payouts?
Check the official Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, or US Open website for that edition’s prize-money schedule. Older figures are useful for comparison, but they should not be treated as the current year’s rates.
Final Thoughts
Grand Slam qualifying offers meaningful prize money, but the main financial step is earning a place in the main draw. The payout grows with each qualifying round, and advancing through the final round changes which prize schedule applies. Because the four tournaments use different currencies and update their awards annually, the best way to compare exact amounts is to consult each Slam’s official schedule for the year in question.
