This year’s US Open will have the biggest prize money pool of all time with a total of $53 million being handed out throughout the tournament.
The record-breaking amount is a $2.6M increase compared to last year and a 57 percent increase since 2013. Out of the four grand slams, the New York major remains the only one to issue more than $50M in prize money. Both singles champions will take home a total of $3.8M, which is a $100,000 increase on 2017. Those who finish runner-up will win $1.85M. In the doubles competitions, winners will take home $700,000.
“2018 is a significant year in our history,” USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams said in a statement. “Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the tournament, we also have completed the five-year transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. We know that we are poised for incredible growth moving forward.”
Whilst the increase has been welcomed, some have criticised the disparity in money between the lower and later rounds. Players who lose in the first round will receive $54,000. More than 70 times less than what the winner would have earned. Furthermore, on the ATP World Tour only four players have earned more than £3.8M during the first seven months of this year. Alexander Zverev (3.96M), Novak Djokovic ($4.33M), Roger Federer ($5.08M) and Rafael Nadal ($6.71)
Former world No.1 Andy Roddick has voiced his criticism about the prize money method. On social media the 2003 US Open champion said that players should focus on forming a union to help address such topics. Stating that tournaments are now ‘dictated by revenue.’
https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/1019306141011136512
Doubles Specialist Bruno Soares is one player who backs Roddick’s comments. The Brazilian won the 2016 US Open doubles title alongside Jamie Murray.
“Very well said. Been talking about that since I started on the player council. It’s crazy.” Soares wrote in reply to Roddick’s tweet.
Mardy Fish, who reached a ranking high of seventh back in 2011, argued that the record prize money could be better invested in player pension schemes and in other areas of the tour. Especially concerning lower level events.
“Should be dispersed throughout the tour and pensions in my opinion. You don’t need 3.8m for winning. Especially when winning a smaller 250 event the champion makes around 85-90k.” The 36-year-old said.
The US Open will get underway on August 27th. Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens are the defending champions.
Full list of US Open prize money for 2018
Singles:
Winner: $3,800,000
Runner-Up: $1,850,000
Semifinalist: $925,000
Quarter-finalist: $475,000
Round of 16: $266,000
Round of 32: $156,000
Round of 64: $93,000
Round of 128: $54,000
Doubles (each team):
Winner: $700,000
Runner-Up: $350,000
Semifinalist: $166,400
Quarter-finalist: $85,275
Round of 16: $46,500
Round of 32: $27,875
Round of 64: $16,500
NOTE: More than $3M will be on offer in the qualifying tournament for the first time.
