Prize hike for tennis hopefuls

London - The International Tennis Federation (ITF) plans to increase prize money for young players in lower categories on the men's circuit.

ITF director Kris Dent told dpa it was planned to raise prize money in the Futures tournaments to up to $25 000 from the current $10 000 from 2016.

An additional $10 000 will be made available to help players with accommodation and other expenses.

"We will increase prize money and make sure that the tournaments cover the costs of board and lodgings," Dent said.

The plans need to be agreed by the ITF board but Dent said there was "a consensus in this matter."

The Futures tournaments allow players to win career titles and win their first points in the world rankings.

Dent said there were more tournaments and higher prize money than 10 years ago but most were in Europe.

"We want more tournaments and more players in Latin America, Asia and Africa," he said.