Wimbledon Prize Money to Increase in 2012
Wimbledon officials have agreed to a substantial increase to the prize money for the 2012 Championships following talks with the world’s leading players. A majority of the prize monies will be directed to helping lower-ranked players. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive a record $1.85 million, while most of the $2.4 million increase to the overall pot will go to players who lose in qualifying or the early rounds. There will be a total $26 million in prize money.
All-England Club Chairman Philip Brook said the leading names in the sport argued for an increase for the lower ranked players to recognize "the rising costs associated with professional tennis."
There had been reports that players were prepared to go on strike over the issue of prize money at Grand Slams, but Brook said that was never mentioned in the discussions at Indian Wells, Calif. in March which also included, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
"There hasn’t been any suggestion of industrial action or unrest," Brook said. "There was a request to go and meet with them in Indian Wells. We respected that request. In those top four players, we have people of quality and integrity who want to do the right thing for the sport."
Prize money for all rounds increased at the same rate until 2006, when the annual raise for the singles’ champions began to dramatically outstrip that for early losers.
Other changes announced Tuesday include playing 30 min. earlier on courts 2-19 in the hope that an 11:30 a.m. start cuts down on the number of matches held over by the weather in England.
Brook said the All-England Club is also formulating the details of a new plan for ground development and championship organization through 2020, which may include a roof on Number 1 Court similar to that on Centre Court.
