Tennis: US Open to break $68 million prize barrier

The US Open logo is seen from the grounds at the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York on Sept 1, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK(AFP) - Prize money at this year's US Open will top US$50 million (S$68 million), organisers confirmed Tuesday (July 18), once again making the tournament the richest event in tennis.

The United States Tennis Association said in a statement that the tournament purse had been increased by US$4 million, taking it up to US$50.4 million in total.

The winners of the men's and women's singles will each pocket US$3.7 million, while prize money for each round would increase by an average of 7.5 per cent compared to 2016.

The men's and women's doubles champions would take home US$675,000 while the purse for the qualifying tournament had increased to US$2.9 million - a 49.2 per cent increase over last year.

"Five years ago, we committed to the players that total player compensation for players would reach US$50 million at the US Open, and we are honoring that commitment," USTA chairman Katrina Adams said in a statement.

This year's US Open will be held from Aug 28 to Sept 10.

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