French Open organisers announce prize money increase

Grand Slam

Organisers of the French Open have announced they have rubber-stamped an increase in prize money for this summer’s tournament.

The total prize pot for the tournament will now be 39.2million euros (approximately £34million), making it the second most financially rewarding for players of the Grand Slams.

The 2018 singles champions will each take home 2.2million euros (approximately £1.9million), which is an increase of around £100,000 from last year.

The biggest increases, however, are for the early-round losers. The average rise across the three qualifying rounds is almost 20 per cent while players who are beaten in the first round will take home 40,000 euros (approximately £35,000).

The grand slams are under pressure to ramp up prize money, with ATP player council president Novak Djokovic calling a private player meeting on the eve of the Australian Open to discuss the issue, with Roger Federer also voicing his belief that players deserve a greater slice of the profits.

The Australian Open’s prize fund this year was £30million, while last year Wimbledon paid out £31.6million. The US Open is still the biggest money-spinner for players, with a prize pot of £35.7million last year.

French Open Grand Slams Novak Djokovic Roger Federer

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