New York (AFP) – The US Open purse will top $100 million for the first time, a 20% increase on last year’s $85 million that the US Tennis Association no doubt hopes will quiet the kind of protests over player compensation that erupted at the French Open and Wimbledon.
The USTA said Thursday that the total player compensation package at this year’s tournament would be a record $108 million, with the men’s and women’s singles champions earning $5.5 million each. Players in the first round will receive $140,000 via the purse increases spread across all rounds and competitions, including doubles and the wheelchair tournament.
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The USTA’s announcement coincided with a joint announcement by all four Grand Slams — the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open — of the creation of a Grand Slam player advisory council “to serve as the forum for direct communication, feedback and collaboration between the Grand Slams and players”.
Top players, including world number ones Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, limited their availability to media before the French Open and Wimbledon in protest of perceived low prize money. The Grand Slams said the new player council will launch after the US Open. “The Grand Slams are currently shaping the Council’s initial composition, framework and operating structure with player input,” the statement said. “Interested players will be invited to apply and those appointed to the Council will address the full range of Grand Slam sporting matters.”
USTA chairman Brian Vahaly said the new council will provide recommendations on how the US federation, which organizes the US Open, should design its new Player Support Program, which will be started with an initial $2 million that is part of the announced US Open compensation package. The program will be aimed at complementing existing end of career pension funds as well as providing a range of benefits supporting players through “mid-career life events and retirement transitions.”
“The US Open has a long history of listening to players, and this player support program and Council builds on that commitment. We look forward to working directly with players to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face, and to continue finding meaningful ways to support them both on and off the court,” said Vahaly.
USTA chief executive Craig Tiley called the purse increase and creation of the council “a significant first step in a multi-year investment in athletes as the US Open continues to be the best economic opportunity for players and the most valuable platform for players, fans and partners.”
– A seat at the table –
American Ben Shelton, ranked sixth in the world, welcomed the creation of the player council. “Having a seat at the table with the Grand Slams is something we have wanted for some time, so I’m really pleased to see this council come together,” he said in a statement. “It gives us, as players, a real opportunity to have a voice, contribute to the conversation and help shape the tournaments beyond what happens on the court.”
While Sabalenka and her fellow millionaire stars were accused by some of greed in demanding more prize money, she insisted at Wimbledon this year that they were fighting on behalf of lower ranked players, who do not enjoy the same rewards and benefits that come with being at the top of the sport. “Listen, we do it for the tour, we don’t do it for ourselves. We do it for the rest of the players who are suffering to even hire a coach,” she said.
© 2024 AFP
