US Open ups the ante to remain richest Slam

 

Originally published on: 09/07/10 10:16

Players participating at this summer’s US Open will be competing in the richest tournament in tennis history as the prize fund rose by $1 million for the fourth year in succession.

Tournament organisers have announced that the total kitty at Flushing Meadows will be $22.6 million, the latest big-money swipe in the informal prize money war between tradition-rich Wimbledon and the brash-cash New York event.

The winners of this year’s US Open crowns will land a record $1.7 million, compared with the £1 million ($1.54 million) cheques awarded to Wimbledon champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

All of that is in addition to any potential prize money from the hard-court prelude to the Open, the US Open Series, which kicks off in Atlanta on July 19.

Now in its seventh year, the six-week event combines the results from ATP and WTA tournaments across America and Canada and crowns the most consistent performers as US Open Series champion.

It’s it much more than just a title – the Series winners, runners-up and third-place finishers will see a few extra dollars thrown in with their US Open prize money.

Should the Series champions go on to win the US Open proper, they will receive a $1 million bonus to take the winner’s cheque up to $2.7 million – potentially making the final the most lucrative payday in tennis.

Roger Federer is the last player to win both the Series and the Open, pocketing a record $2.4 million back in 2007. Kim Clijsters also pulled off the double in 2002, taking home a women’s record purse of $2.2 million for her troubles.

Since the US Open Series began in 2004, every Series winner has been, or went on to become, world No.1. Sam Querrey and Elena Dementieva won last year’s Series.

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