US Open To Offer Huge Prize Money

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 1st August 2013

US Open To Offer Huge Prize Money

epa03795876 Serena Williams reacts during the final of the Swedish Open against Johanna Larsson, not shown, 21 July 2013 in Bastad, Sweden. Williams won 6-4, 6-1. EPA/BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL |

The US Open had again broken the world record for a Grand Slam champions prize money with the men’s and women’ singles winners at Flushing Meadows in six weeks’ time set to each collect a massive $2.6 million.

Last year’s singles champions, Serena Williams and Andy Murray, each walked away with $1.9 million so the increase at the top of the pile equates to a 35% pay increase.

But the increase is not quite so dramatic for US Open first round losers who will only collect $32,000, which on the current exchange rate is less than the £24,000 paid at Wimbledon. Nevertheless that is still a 39% increase from the $23,000 paid out in 2012 and is more than the $30,000 the singles champions earned in 1976.

The move follows negotiations between the players, both from the ATP World Tour and the WTA, and demonstrates the determination of all four Grand Slam tournaments to avoid the threat of strike action.

Four months after vowing to make across the board pay increases for this year’s tournament, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced an $8 million rise in their prize fund to the pool.

The total payout, including per diems for players, will be $34.3m – an increase of approximately 35% from the $25.5m pool in 2012.

This year the beaten finalists will have their disappointment tempered by $1.3m instead of the $950,000 offered last year, while semi-finalists receive $650,000 – up from $475,000. Both figures mean increases of 37%. Quarter-finalists see the same rise in prize money, getting $325,000 instead of $237,500.

Players losing in round of 16 or fourth round will be paid $165,000 (up from $120,000), third round losers will earn $93,000 (up from $65,000) and players who fall at the second round stage will get $53,000 (up from $37,000).

Doubles prize money will go up about 13% in 2013, while prize money for qualifying will total $1.4m, a 37.5% jump.

US Open 2013 money breakdown

Winner: $2.6 million (a 37% increase)

Runner-up: $1.3 million, (a 37% increase)

Semifinalist: $650,000, (a 37% increase)

Quarterfinalist: $325,000, (a 37% increase)

Round of 16: $165,000, (a 38% increase)

Round of 32: $93,000, (a 43% increase)

Round of 64: $53,000 , (a 43% increase)

Round of 128: $32,000, (a 39% increase)