2013 US OPEN PRIZE MONEY TO INCREASE BY RECORD FOUR MILLION DOLLARS

Written by: Staff on 19th December 2012

2013 US OPEN PRIZE MONEY TO INCREASE BY RECORD FOUR MILLION DOLLARS

epa03392896 A giant America flag is unfurled across the court before the start of the men's final match on the fifteenth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 10 September 2012. The US Open has been extended a day for the fifth straight year due to weather. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

The USTA today announced that prize money for the 2013 US Open will be increased by four million dollars, doubling the record two million dollar increase of 2012. Total US Open prize money in 2013 will be $29.5 million. Singles prize money at the US Open has now increased by 34% since the 2011 US Open. Overall tournament prize money has been increased by $6 million since the 2011 US Open. Distribution of prize money by round will be determined by the USTA in due course. The USTA will solicit suggestions for this distribution from the men’s and women’s players and their respective tours.

In order to accommodate the players’ request for a day of rest between the singles semifinals and finals, the 2013 US Open is scheduled to conclude on Monday, September 9. The women’s singles semifinals will be played in a single day session on Friday, September 6, and the women’s final will take place on Sunday, September 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET, in the time slot where the men’s singles final was traditionally played.

The men’s singles semifinals will continue to be played in a single day session on Saturday, September 7, with the men’s singles final to take place on Monday, September 9 at 5:00 p.m. ET. In the new schedule, no competition will be scheduled for the second Saturday night of the tournament.

“I’m pleased that the USTA has modified the US Open schedule to include a day of rest between the semi-finals and final,” said Andy Murray, winner of the 2012 US Open. “Together with the prize money increase, it’s good that they’ve taken on board the players’ concerns.”

The final four days of the men’s and women’s singles competitions will be broadcast by CBS Sports. The full schedule of the 2013 US Open, which will include exact start times of the singles semifinals as well all doubles competitions, will be announced at a later date.

“We recognize the increased physicality required to compete at the highest level of the sport, and we have responded to the players’ request for a scheduled day of rest between the singles semifinals and finals,” said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “The record increase in US Open prize money and the changes in the next year’s schedule are aimed at rewarding the players’ talents and accommodating the rigors of the modern professional game.”

Topics: Sports, Tennis News, tennis prize money, US Open, Usta