The event was held without spectators last year, with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) reducing the prize money to $53.4 million due to losing revenue.
Despite the overall increase this year, prize money for the two singles winners has dropped from $3 million to $2.5 million, with the runner-up check to $1.25 million, a decrease of $50,000 from 2020.
“Last year was a very difficult year for all of us, and the pandemic had a profound effect on the financial health of the USTA,” said USTA CEO and Executive Director Mike Dowsey.
“Yet we worked – and continue to work – very hard to ensure that tennis continues to flourish at every level over the long term, and that work led to more than four million tennis participants in 2020. New and returning players came in.”
The first round payout goes up to $75,000, a 23% jump from 2020, while the second round’s prize money increases from $100,000 to $115,000.
The USTA said prize money has also been increased in doubles, mixed doubles and wheelchair events.
The US Open, which will welcome fans this year, begins on August 30.