Carlos Alcaraz has reportedly been made to fork out nearly half of his prize money for winning the 2025 French Open to tax authorities.
Alcaraz captured his fifth Grand Slam and second crown at Roland Garros, completing a successful title defense, after a stunning five-set comeback victory against World No.1 Jannik Sinner. At 5 hours and 29 minutes, it was the longest final in the tournament’s history and the second longest in a Grand Slam final.
It was the first time Alcaraz recovered from a two-sets-to-love deficit and won a match. He saved three match points, becoming only the fifth player in the Open Era to erase a championship point in a Major final and lift the title.
The Spaniard received a cash prize of €2.55 million (about $2.9 million on current exchange rates) as the champion. The prize money breakdown in tennis is available on the public domain, and the French Open committed a purse amounting to €56.352 million for the 2025 edition, which was an increase of 5.21% from last year. But the figures quoted are normally exclusive of tax obligations, so tennis players don’t keep the entire amount they earn.
Taxman Digs into Alcaraz’s French Open Prize Money
Alcaraz was the biggest beneficiary in the men’s tournament, but the sobering reality of international prize money taxation meant that he only banked a little over half of the €2.55 million. Spanish outlet El Economista reported that Alcaraz will pay almost €1.2 million in personal income tax (excluding approved expenses, which he can claim to reduce the arrears).
This estimated amount equates to 46% of Alcaraz’s earnings from the tournament, and it is a figure that fellow ATP player Holger Rune echoed. He claimed it might be even higher.
The same report did not specify whether Alcaraz will pay tax in his native Spain or France, where the tournament was played. But Rune’s response cleared up the misconception that tennis players are obliged to pay tax on prize money earned to their country of birth.
You pay tax of your prize money in the country where you play . I am sure it’s more than 46% in France 😁 But you can deduct your expenses
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) June 10, 2025
Tennis prize money is taxed according to the tax laws of the tournament’s host country. In that case, Alcaraz’s winnings will be taxed by French authorities since he derived his income from France.
The Dane replied to the initial post by a user on X who shared the information. Rune wrote, “You pay tax of your prize money in the country where you play. I am sure it’s more than 46% in France. But you can deduct your expenses.”
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
