Tennis: US Open in record prize money boost

NEW YORK (AFP) - The men's and women's champions at this year's US Open will each receive US$3 million (S$3.7 million) of a record US$38.3 million total purse, the United States Tennis Association announced on Wednesday.

The payout for the singles champions is the largest in US Open history as tournament organizers also increased the payout for winners of each round of the singles competition.

The total purse is an 11.7 per cent increase over last year's tournament and in the last three years the main draw prize money is up by 64 per cent.

"Last year to recognize the importance of the players and the key role they have in building our sport, the USTA shared our vision to reach US$50 million in prize money at the US Open by 2017," said Dave Haggerty, USTA chairman of the board.

"This year's prize money increase continues the commitment to make the US Open one of the most lucrative purses in all of sports." The 2014 US Open is scheduled for August 25 through September 8.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.