Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn couldn’t hide her envy for tennis’s lucrative rewards, posting a cheeky side-eye emoji on X following Carlos Alcaraz’s victory over Jannik Sinner in the 2025 US Open men’s final. The 40-year-old skier, who was spotted cheering from Sinner’s player box during the gripping four-set match (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4), highlighted the stark financial disparity between her sport and tennis with a pointed caption: “$5M for a tennis major? Ski racing could never.”
Vonn’s post, which has garnered thousands of likes and retweets, came as Alcaraz pocketed the tournament’s record $5 million winner’s check—part of a total prize purse exceeding $75 million for the event. In contrast, alpine skiing’s World Cup circuit offers far more modest rewards. Winners at marquee downhill races like Wengen or Kitzbühel typically earn around $100,000, with the overall season champion receiving a bonus of about $400,000. Vonn, who amassed 82 World Cup victories before retiring in 2019, has long spoken about the challenges of making a living in skiing without major endorsements from brands like Red Bull and Under Armour.
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic downhill gold medalist and three-time Olympian made a triumphant comeback to the sport last season, finishing second in a super-G at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, at age 40. Her return, fueled by a partial knee replacement in 2024, has inspired fans but also underscored the financial realities of ski racing. “It’d be cool if we won 5 mil for a ski race. Just a thought 💭,” Vonn elaborated in a follow-up comment, acknowledging the revenue gap between the sports but sparking a broader conversation about equity in winter athletics.
Fans and fellow athletes flooded Vonn’s comments with support, reigniting debates on ski racing’s funding model. One user noted, “Tennis generates billions; skiing struggles with sponsorships,” while another praised Vonn for using her platform to advocate for change. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has faced criticism for stagnant prize money amid rising costs, with total World Cup payouts hovering around $10-15 million annually across all disciplines— a fraction of the US Open’s budget alone.
Vonn’s connection to the US Open stems from her friendship with Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian who nearly defended his title but fell short in a match delayed 30 minutes due to heightened security for President Donald Trump’s attendance. The two bonded over their shared skiing backgrounds—Sinner nearly pursued the sport professionally before switching to tennis. Vonn, who skied with him in 2024, has praised his composure, telling ATP Tour, “In skiing, one mistake can end it all; tennis gives you room to recover.”
Despite the loss, Sinner earned $2.5 million as runner-up, enough to fund an entire World Cup season for dozens of skiers. Alcaraz’s win not only secured his sixth Grand Slam but also reclaimed the World No. 1 ranking, cementing the duo’s dominance—they’ve won all eight majors since 2024.
Vonn’s jab arrives as she eyes the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, where she could become the oldest alpine skier to medal. Her post highlights a persistent issue: while tennis stars like Alcaraz build empires, ski racers often rely on personal branding. As one fan replied, “Queen Lindsey calling it like it is—time for FIS to step up!”
