The United States Tennis Association, USTA, has slashed the prize money for this year’s US Open by about 5% – down from the record $ 61 million last year to $ 53.4 million for the 2020 edition.
The US Open, set to begin on 31 August, will be played in New York behind closed doors.
The USTA, which will suffer significant losses due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, will though will still be spending $ 61 million on players. The $7.6 million saved from the total prize purse will be dedicated to player relief.
In another important decision, while the champions and the finalists will get around 5% cut in their pay purse, but the players making a first-round exit will get 5% more in their appearance fee.
The USTA, ATP and WTA Tours worked collaboratively to build a payment structure for the 2
020 US Open that would feature critical financial balance and support for players. First-round prize money for men’s and women’s singles is increased by 5 percent over 2019 ($61,000 from $58,000), while second and third-round singles prize money was unchanged. Doubles prize money for the rounds of 32, 16 and the quarter-finals also remained the same as 2019, ATP has reported.
In all, the combined singles and doubles purse totals more than $43 million. In addition, the USTA has dedicated a total of $7.6 million towards further monetary assistance for players who have seen their earning opportunities reduced this year as a result of the nearly five-month suspension of international tennis, states and USTA report.
Having previously contributed $1 million to the sport’s organized Player Relief Program earlier this year, the USTA will provide an additional $6.6 million in grants and subsidies as a result of its decisions to not hold a qualifying tournament, and reduce the doubles draws, at this year’s US Open.
“We’re proud to be able to offer a player compensation package that maintains nearly 95 percent of the prize pool from 2019,” said Mike Dowse, USTA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.
“The prize money distribution for the 2020 US Open is the result of close collaboration between the USTA, WTA and ATP, and represents a commitment to supporting players and their financial well-being during an unprecedented time.”
Both the men’s and women’s singles champion will earn $3 million.
US Open 2020 Prize Money: Singles – Winner: $3,000,000; Runner-Up: $1,500,000; Semi-finalist: $800,000; Quarter-finalist: $425,000; Round of 16: $250,000; Round of 32: $163,000; Round of 64: $100,000; and Round of 128: $61,000.
Doubles (each team): Winner: $400,000; Runner-Up: $240,000; Semi-finalist: $130,000; Quarter-finalist: $91,000; Round of 16: $50,000; Round of 32: $30,000.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western & Southern Open will also be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this year. The main draw of the ATP Masters 1000 begins on 22 August.