LONDON (AP) – Prize money is increasing by seven per cent at Wimbledon this year, with 1.88 million pounds ($2.85 million) going to the men’s and women’s singles champions.
The All England Club announced Tuesday that prize money for the grass-court tennis Grand Slam will total 26.75 million pounds ($40.60 million).
Organisers said the prize fund will be “the highest ever in professional tennis”, surpassing last year’s U.S. Open purse of $38.25 million.
The tournament will run from June 29 to July 12. The break between the French Open and Wimbledon, normally two weeks, has been extended to three weeks for the first time this year.
The total prize money for singles winners will rise eight per cent from last year’s total of 1.76 million pounds, received by defending champions Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova.
Men’s and women’s doubles winners will earn 340 000 pounds ($520 000), an increase of 15 000 pounds, while mixed doubles winners will receive a rise of four per cent, to 100 000 pounds ($153 000).
The All England Club also said Hawk-Eye technology will be used at Courts 12 and 18, making it six courts equipped with the system.
The overall capacity has increased by 500 to 39 000 because Courts 14 and 15 will be available again after being re-laid during last year’s event. A total of 19 courts will be in play for the championship.
The All England Club added that progress is running on schedule for a roof to be built on Court 1, which should be ready for the 2019 competition.
