Australian Open 2026 payouts: How much Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka & others earn in prize money?
(Courtesy : @AustralianOpen/Twitter)
Elena Rybakina clinched her second Grand Slam title at Australian Open 2026.
Elena Rybakina capped a remarkable Melbourne campaign by winning her maiden Australian Open title in 2026, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a high quality final at Rod Laver Arena.
Seeded fifth, Rybakina showed composure and power at key moments, bouncing back strongly after dropping the second set and an early break in the decider.
Her ability to reset, reel off five consecutive games, and close the match with authority underlined her growing reputation as one of the tour’s most resilient big match players. This victory marked a significant milestone in Rybakina’s career, giving her a second Grand Slam title after her Wimbledon triumph in 2022.
The Australian Open crown also erased the disappointment of her 2023 final loss in Melbourne, fittingly against the same opponent. With this win, Rybakina improved her Australian Open record to 27 wins and 6 losses and reached her third Grand Slam final overall.
Also Read: Australian Open: List of women’s singles title winners
Rybakina’s title run was historically impressive. She became the first woman since Maria Sharapova in 2008 to win the Australian Open by defeating three top six players in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
The triumph also pushed her into elite statistical company, as she now owns one of the highest winning percentages against world number one opponents in the Open Era and extended her streak of wins over top ten players.
Prize money breakdown for Australian Open 2026 women’s singles
The first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne will feature a record-breaking AUD 111.5 million prize money pool for the 2026 Australian Open, up about 16 % from the previous edition, with all main draw rounds across singles, doubles and mixed doubles seeing roughly 13 % higher payouts compared to 2025.
| Round | Prize money | Players |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | A$4.15 million | Elena Rybakina |
| Finalist | A$2.15 million | Aryna Sabalenka |
| Semi-finalists | A$1.25 million | Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina |
| Quarter-finalists | A$750,000 | Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek, Iva Jovic |
| Round of 16 | A$480,000 | Madison Keys, Victoria Mboko, Karolína Muchová, Mirra Andreeva |
| Round of 32 | A$327,750 | Naomi Osaka, Linda Nosková, Jasmine Paolini, Clara Tauson, Diana Shnaider, Anna Kalinskaya, Karolína Plíšková |
| Round of 64 | A$225,000 | Paula Badosa, Belinda Bencic, Jeļena Ostapenko, Emma Raducanu, Maria Sakkari |
| Round of 128 | A$150,000 | Ekaterina Alexandrova, Emma Navarro, Donna Vekić, Liudmila Samsonova, Sloane Stephens, Leylah Fernandez, Alexandra Eala, Venus Williams |
Who won the Australian Open women’s singles title in 2026?
Elena Rybakina won the Australian Open 2026 women’s singles title.
How many Grand Slam titles does Elena Rybakina have now?
She has two Grand Slam titles: Wimbledon 2022 and Australian Open 2026.
What record did Rybakina set in this tournament?
She became the first woman since 2008 to beat three top-six players en route to the title.
How much prize money did Rybakina win in 2026?
She earned A$4.15 million as the champion.
What was the total prize pool for Australian Open 2026?
The total prize pool was A$111.5 million.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.