Tennis sensation Coco Gauff has reiterated her stance on the prize money distribution at Grand Slam tournaments, particularly ahead of the Australian Open 2026. The tournament has announced a 16% rise in the total prize pool to Aus$111.5 million (US$75 million) this year, with the winners of the men’s and women’s singles set to receive Aus$4.15 million each, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. Despite these increments, Gauff believes that players deserve a larger share, considering the revenue generated by the event.
Gauff, aged 21, expressed contentment with the progress made in prize money allocation but highlighted that the current percentage remains inadequate when compared to the tournament’s earnings. She emphasized the need for further discussions not only with the Australian Open but also with all Grand Slam events. Gauff acknowledged the efforts of player representatives in advocating for fairer compensation, especially in situations where physical presence is limited.
As she gears up for the Australian Open as the No. 3 seed, Gauff arrives in Melbourne with a strong track record, having clinched her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open. Notably, she has already secured victories in early 2026 against top-tier opponents like Iga Świątek and Maria Sakkari during the United Cup. Despite her past successes, Gauff has yet to claim victory at the Australian Open, with her best performance to date being a semi-final appearance in 2024, where she was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka.
