Wimbledon has announced a massive 20 per cent bump in prize money to a total of £64.2million for this year’s Championships.
The increase of over £10m from £53.5m last year comes in the context of a revolt from top players over prize money. At the recent French Open they took their most militant step so far by restricting their pre-tournament press duties to 15 minutes.
In the most highly-charged prize money announcement in recent times, given the background, The All England Club revealed that this year’s men’s and women’s singles champions will earn £3.6m each (up from £3m) and that first-round losers will get £80,000 (up from £66,000).
Wimbledon has announced a massive 20 per cent bump in prize money to a total of £64.2million for this year’s Championships
After the French Open made only a 9.5 per cent increase, this big boost by Wimbledon will surely be well received and should be considered a victory for the campaigning players.
The Australian Open this year increased prize money by 16 per cent, and last year’s US Open by 20 per cent – a startling figure which Wimbledon have now matched.
More to follow.
