The upcoming US Open will have the biggest prize money pool in the history of grand slam tennis after officials confirmed an eight percent increase in compensation compared to 2018.
A total of more than $57 million will be made available at the major, which is played at Flushing Meadows in New York. The men’s and women ‘s singles champion will each take home $3,850,000. An increase of $50,000 compared to last year. Runners-up will each receive $1,900,000.
Even more substantial is the money available for those participating in the early rounds. Players who lose in the second round will be rewarded with $100,000 in prize money. To put that into perspective, the champion of this week’s Hall Of Fame Championships in Newport will earn $100,600. The Newport event is categorised as an ATP 250 event.
Besides the player payouts, the US Open has also confirmed that they will provide half a million to both the ATP and WTA. The money will be used for the transition program for players, which helps those entering into retirement. Including providing pensions to players.
“The US Open prides itself on offering the best tennis players in the world the richest total prize money in our sport,” USTA Chairman of the Board and President Patrick Galbraith said in a statement. “We strive to be innovative, and feel that our new contribution of $500,000 to both the ATP’s pension plan and the WTA Tour’s transition programs for players will go a long way toward the long-term financial well-being of all of our sport’s athletes.”
The qualifying draw will also receive a boost with a year-on-year increase of 20 percent. Bringing the total amount of money available to a record $3.5 million. Meanwhile, the winners of the men’s and women’s doubles trophy will receive $740,000. More than $200,000 less than what singles players receive for reaching the semi-finals.
The US Open will get underway on August 26th. Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka are the reigning champions.
Prize money break down
|
ROUND |
2019 PRIZE MONEY |
2018 PRIZE MONEY |
INCREASE |
|
Round 1 |
$58,000 |
$54,000 |
+$4000 |
|
Round 2 |
$100,000 |
$93,000 |
+$7000 |
|
Round 3 |
$163,000 |
$156,000 |
+$7000 |
|
Round 4 |
$280,000 |
$266,000 |
+$14,000 |
|
Quarter-finals |
$500,000 |
$475,000 |
+$25,000 |
|
Semi-Finals |
$960,000 |
$925,000 |
+$35,000 |
|
Runner-up |
$1,900,000 |
$1,850,000 |
+$50,000 |
|
Champion |
$3,850,000 |
$3,800,000 |
+$50,000 |
2019 DOUBLES PRIZE MONEY
(each team):
Winner: $740,000
Runner-Up: $370,000
Semifinalist: $175,000
Quarterfinalist: $91,000
Round of 16: $50,000
Round of 32: $30,000
Round of 64: $17,000
