U.S. Open Prize Money to Reach $50 Million by 2017

March 20, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Anthony Pastecchi

The USTA has announced that in keeping with its mission to grow the sport of tennis, it has reached agreement with the ATP and WTA that ensures the vitality and competitiveness of the U.S. Open as a world class, premier event for many years to come. Presently, the USTA is in the midst of several strategic initiatives, all with a common goal of growing tennis at every level in the United States, from youth to seniors, and from those just starting out in the sport to professionals at the highest level of the game. For the U.S. Open and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center the goal is twofold: To transform the National Tennis Center over the next several years into the most modern and fan- and player-friendly tennis center in the world and to continue to attract the world’s best tennis players. In line with this goal, the USTA has reached a five year agreement with the ATP and WTA on U.S. Open prize money.

As part of this long-term vision, the USTA will provide $50 million in U.S. Open prize money by 2017. Additionally, the USTA will increase base prize money for the 2013 U.S. Open by an additional $4.1 million above the previously announced increase of four million dollars. The original announcement was made in December 2012. Base prize money for the 2013 U.S. Open will now total more than $33.6 million, a more than $8.1 million increase over the $25.5 million available to players at the 2012 U.S. Open.

Also, beginning in 2015, the U.S. Open will conclude on the second Sunday of the two-week event with the men’s singles championship. To allow for a day of rest for the finalists, the men’s singles semifinals will be played on Friday. The women’s singles championship will be played on Saturday.

"This excellent outcome for the sport of tennis wouldn’t have been possible without the open-mindedness and fairness of USTA President Dave Haggerty and the USTA staff,” said Roger Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion and president of the ATP Player Council. “They approached our concerns with a true spirit of partnership, and as president of the ATP Player Council, I am personally grateful for their support. Everyone I have spoken with is excited about the increases in prize money, as well as the agreement to change the schedule for 2015 and beyond. The U.S. Open is very special, and we all look forward to great competition at Flushing Meadows later this year, and in the years yet to come."

The USTA will announce the exact round-by-round distribution of the total prize money increase for the 2013 U.S. Open this summer. Further year-by-year prize money increases are expected to be announced annually prior to that year’s U.S. Open. This year’s U.S. Open is scheduled for Aug. 26-Sept. 9, with the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament beginning on Aug. 20.


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
Bethpage

March/April 2024 Digital Edition