Cape Town - The prize money at the US Open this year will increase to $46.3 million, a new record, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Tuesday.
In comparison to last year, the overall prize money has risen by $4 million, resulting in a 10 percent increase per round for players involved in the final grand slam of the year.
The winner of the men’s and women’s singles events will receive $3.5 million, while the runners-up will pocket $1.75 million. In the doubles events, the winning pair will split $625 000.
The huge increase in prize money makes the US Open the most lucrative grand slam in tennis as Wimbledon’s overall prize money this year was $37.2 million, while Roland Garros and the Australian Open’s overall prize money stood at $35.4 million and $33.57 million respectively.
“We are proud that this year’s US Open will offer the richest purse in tennis history,” USTA president Katrina Adams told reporters.
It is understood that the USTA have plans to further increase the overall prize money at the US Open to $50 million next year.