The US Open has ensured that this year’s edition will be the richest tennis event of all time as an increase in prize money will add to a total of 50.4 million dollars.
The announcement made by the USTA ensures that the total prize money will be increased by 9% from the money of the 2016 edition of the US Open. Around 3.7 million dollars will be awarded to the winners of the Men’s and Women’s singles. The announcement means that the US Open will be the first tennis event in history for prize money to add up to the 50 million dollar mark.
Here is what USTA president Katrina Adams had to say about the increase in prize money, ‘Five years ago, we committed to the players that total player compensation for players would reach $50 million at the US Open, and we are honouring that commitment.’
The main draw is not the only increase in prize money, the qualifying tournament has also seen a gigantic increase in prize money with the tournament announcing a historic 49.2% increase from last year. The prize money in this year’s US Open will be a £640,000 increase from the money that was awarded at this year’s edition of Wimbledon. The move may be seen as rewarding however some may be critical of the move considering many players who will carry injuries to the tournament may enter the draw just for the prize money and not to win. As this is what was evident at this year’s Wimbledon.
Here is the prize money in full:
Singles:
1st Round: $50,000
2nd Round: $86,000
3rd Round: $144,000
4th Round: $253,625
Quarter-Finals: $470,000
Semi-Finals: $920,000
Finalist: $1.825 million
Winner: $3.7 million
Doubles (Per Team) :
1st Round: $16,500
2nd Round: $26,500
3rd Round: $44,000
Quarter-Finals: $82,000
Semi-Finals: $160,000
Finalists: $340,000
Winners: $675,000
The US Open starts on the 28th of August.
