Million dollar purses for US Open

The United States Tennis Association have announced that for the first time in Grand Slam history, both the men’s and women’s singles champions at this year’s US Open will receive $1,000,000.

The USTA has also increased prize money for doubles, with the men’s and women’s doubles champions each receiving 400,000 US dollars at the tournament which begins on August 25.

“The USTA’s increase in this year’s US Open prize money is nearly twice the amount of the Open’s average increases over the past few years,” said ATP chief executive officer Mark Miles.

“Many players view this as a constructive preliminary step and it confirms the importance of our on-going dialogue with the USTA regarding financial issues and other initiatives to grow the game.”