Wimbledon ups singles prize money

This year’s Wimbledon men’s champion will take home £575,000 (€834)– an increase of £50,000 (€72,000) on last year – after the All England Club today announced a 9.5% rise in singles’ prize money.

The women’s winner will collect £535,000 (€776) up from £486,000 (€705) last year, but there will be no increase in prize money for the doubles event.

The total paid out by Wimbledon to players this year will be £9,373,990 (€13.6m)

Tim Phillips, chairman of the All England Club and the championships, said: “Leading athletes in top spectator sports are rightly well rewarded for their outstanding talent and the entertainment they bring us.

“To reflect market forces, Wimbledon, this year, is paying a substantial increase to singles competitors while holding doubles prize money at last year’s level.

“International professional tennis nowadays is incredibly competitive, requiring great dedication and hard work by the players.

“Wimbledon tries to reflect this in both the prize money and the facility it provides to the players.”

Meanwhile, players will not have to bow or curtsey to the Royal Box for the first time this year – unless the Queen or the Prince of Wales attend.

The practice has been abolished at the suggestion of the Duke of Kent, who is the All England Club’s President.