US Open makes huge prize money announcement as top competitors Carlos Alcaraz & Iga Swiatek gear up for the last Grand Slam of the season

The prize money pool for this year's US Open has been increased by 15 percent to $75 million, making it the largest purse in tennis history.

US Open makes huge prize money announcement as top competitors Carlos Alcaraz & Iga Swiatek gear up for the last Grand Slam of the season

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Iga Swiatek (via Imago )

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced it will offer the largest purse in tennis history, awarding $75 million in total player compensation for the 2024 US Open. The amount is a 15 percent increase from $65 million in 2023.

The men’s and women’s singles champion will each receive a staggering $3.6 million, a 20 percent increase from the $3 million in 2023. Over the past five years, the US Open has increased the prize money for each round. This year the prize money for reaching the first round is $100,000, a 72 percent increase of $58,000 in 2019.

Last year, Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff lifted the title in the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively. This year, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek are the leading favorites to win the final Grand Slam of the year. The event is slated to get underway on August 26 through to September 5.

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Alcaraz has been incredibly form this year winning the Indian Wells Masters, French Open, Wimbledon, and the singles silver for Spain at the Paris Olympics. He won his first career Grand Slam at the US Open in 2022 and has since won four Majors. Last year, he reached the semifinals of the event losing to Russian Daniil Medvedev.

On the other hand, Swiatek began the year slowly and finally found her rhythm during the clay season. The Polish star has racked up five titles this season, including the French Open. She recently won singles bronze at the Paris Olympics. She is a former US Open champion having won the title in 2022 but failed to defend it last year after losing to Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16.

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Rafael Nadal remains a significant doubt for the US Open following his disappointing Paris Olympics end

Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal remains a major doubt for the US Open after a disappointing Paris Olympics campaign. The Spaniard was on the entry list for the Grand Slam event with a protected ranking of No. 9. The 22-time Major champion didn’t compete at the event last year due to injury.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Nadal last won the title in 2019 but is likely to skip the event this year. At the Olympics, he lost to gold medalist Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles. In the doubles, he exited in the quarterfinals alongside his partner Carlos Alcaraz. After the loss, he admitted he might not take part in the 2024 US Open.

It looks like not, but I’m going to let you know soon. For me now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time. But for me it looks difficult.
Rafael Nadal said (via Tennis365)

The daunting task of switching from clay to hard court might be too difficult an ask for the Spaniard, who has suffered from several injuries in the last two years.

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