WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 8, 2008 – The USTA today announced that the 2008 US Open purse will top $20.6 million, an increase of $1 million, tying last year for the largest prize money increase in US Open history. In addition to the base purse of $20.6 million, the top three men’s and top three women’s finishers in the Olympus US Open Series may earn up to an additional $2.6 million in bonus prize money at the US Open, providing a potential total payout of $23.2 million.
Both the men’s and women’s US Open singles champions will earn a record $1.5 million with the ability to earn an additional $1 million in bonus prize money (for a total $2.5 million potential payout) based on their performances in the Olympus US Open Series. Last year, Roger Federer earned the largest payout in tennis history — $2.4 million — for winning both the US Open and Olympus US Open Series titles. In addition, both US Open singles champions will receive a new 2009 Lexus IS-F automobile.
“Today’s players are some of the most talented and hardest working athletes in sports,” said Arlen Kantarian, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Tennis, USTA. “They bring a unique brand of competition and entertainment to the US Open and the New York stage.”
US Open Base Prize Money
The 2008 US Open purse includes a 7% increase in men’s and women’s singles prize money from 2007’s record purse. For the 36th consecutive year, the USTA will offer equal prize money to both men and women — a Grand Slam first and US Open tradition dating back to 1973. All players also receive per diem payments to help with the cost of accommodations and other expenses.
US Open Bonus Prize Money
The 2008 US Open is the culmination of the Olympus US Open Series, the North American summer season of 10 ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour events that begins July 14. The USTA will offer up to an additional $2.6 million in bonus prize money at the US Open to the top three men’s and top three women’s singles finishers in the Olympus US Open Series. Last year, an additional $1.2 million was paid in bonus prize money for a total payout of $20.8 million.
The men’s and women’s winners of the Olympus US Open Series will play for up to $1 million in bonus prize money at the US Open. In addition, the second-place finishers can earn up to an additional $500,000, while the third-place finishers in the Olympus US Open Series can earn up to an additional $250,000. The top finishers in the Olympus US Open Series will be determined by the Olympus US Open Series Bonus Challenge — a point structure based on singles results at each of the 10 Olympus US Open Series tournaments this summer. Players must earn points in at least two Olympus US Open Series events in order to be eligible for bonus prize money at the US Open.
The base prize money and bonus prize money thru the quarterfinals is illustrated below:
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2008 US OPEN PRIZE MONEY FOR TOP FINISHERS |
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US OPEN FINISH |
Base Prize Money |
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Prize Money With Potential Bonus Prize Money For Top 3 Olympus US Open Series Finishers |
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1st Place Finisher |
2nd Place Finisher |
3rd Place Finisher |
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Winner |
$1,500,000 |
$2,500,000 |
$2,000,000 |
$1,750,000 |
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Finalist |
750,000 |
1,250,000 |
1,000,000 |
875,000 |
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|
Semifinalist |
320,000 |
570,000 |
445,000 |
382,500 |
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Quarterfinalist |
160,000 |
285,000 |
222,500 |
191,250 |
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The Olympus US Open Series is the six-week summer tennis season linking 10 major ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments to the US Open. Since its inception in 2004, the Olympus US Open Series has doubled television viewership and increased event attendance, while generating new corporate partnerships for the sport. Olympus US Open Series sponsors include Olympus, American Express, MassMutual Financial Group and Valspar Paint. In total, the 2007 Olympus US Open Series events – – including the US Open – – generated a record 1.7 million attendees, 121 million TV viewers and 32.1 million website visits. Last year, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova won the Olympus US Open Series.
The 2008 US Open is expected to attract more than 700,000 fans, making it the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. More than 75 million viewers watched the 2007 US Open on CBS Sports and USA Network, and international broadcasts reached 180 countries. JPMorgan Chase is the presenting sponsor of the US Open women’s singles championship. Lexus is the presenting sponsor of the US Open men’s singles championship.
The 2008 US Open will be held Monday, August 25 through Sunday, September 7. Tickets for the 2008 US Open can be purchased four ways: 1) at USOpen.org; 2) by calling Ticketmaster at 1-866-OPEN-TIX; 3) at all Ticketmaster outlets; or 4) at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center box office. American Express is the Official Card of the US Open.
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 94 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. A not-for-profit organization with 725,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.
I briefly heard this on the news the other day. It’s great to have the figures presented in front of me like this. There’s some huge money on offer there! It should be a really good tournament this year, I’m so looking forward to it after the Wimbledon final.