US Open to hand out $50.4 million in prize money, says USTA

New York July 19 (IANS) The total prize money up for grabs at this year s US Open tennis Grand Slam will reach $50.4 million the organisers said here.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) on Tuesday said in a statement that the tournament purse had been increased by $4 million which once again makes the tournament the richest event in tennis reports Xinhua news agency.

The winners of the men s and women s singles will each pocket $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 $675 000 while the purse for the qualifying tournament had increased to $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 $50 million at the US Open and we are honouring that commitment " USTA chairman Katrina Adams said in a statement.

This year s US Open will be held from August 28 to September 10.

--IANS
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