2005 Prize Money Tops Record $17.7 Million With Potential $20,6 Million Total Payout
Men’s and Women’s Singles Winners to Earn $1.1 Million Each With Potential to Earn $2.2 Million
Top US Open Series Singles Finishers to Compete for Up to $2.8 Million in Total Bonus Prize Money at the US Open
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 7, 2005 – The USTA today announced that the 2005 US Open purse will top $17.7 million, and will potentially exceed $20.6 million -- representing the highest annual purse in sports -- as the top three men’s and women’s finishers in the US Open Series may earn up to an additional $2.8 million in bonus prize money at the US Open. Both the men’s and women’s US Open singles champions will earn $1.1 million with the ability to earn up to $2.2 million based on their performances in the US Open Series. In addition, both US Open singles champions will receive a new 2006 Lexus GS 430 automobile.
US Open Prize Money
The 2005 US Open purse includes a 4.6% increase in men’s and women’s singles prize money from 2004's record payout. For the 33rd consecutive year, the USTA will offer equal prize money to both men and women -- a Grand Slam first and US Open tradition dating back to 1973. All players also receive per diem payments to help with the cost of accommodations and other expenses.
In addition to US Open prize money and the potential $2.8 million in US Open Series bonus prize money, the USTA continues to contribute additional player compensation year-round through the funding of the 94 USTA Pro Circuit events that award more than $3 million in prize money annually.
JPMorgan Chase is the presenting sponsor of the US Open women’s singles championship. Lexus is the presenting sponsor of the men’s singles championship.
US Open Series Bonus Prize Money
The 2005 US Open will be the culmination of the US Open Series, the North American summer season of 10 ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments that begins July 18. The USTA will offer up to an additional $2.8 million in bonus singles prize money at the US Open to the top three men’s and top three women’s finishers in the US Open Series.
The men’s and women’s winners of the US Open Series will play for double the prize money at the US Open. For example, should the champion of the US Open Series also win the US Open singles title, they would earn $2.2 million ($1.1 million in US Open prize money plus the US Open Series bonus prize money of $1.1 million). In addition, the second-place and third-place finishers in the US Open Series will receive 50% more and 25% more, respectively. The US Open Series top finishers will be determined by the US Open Series Bonus Challenge Points awarded at each of the 10 US Open Series tournaments this summer.
The 2005 US Open prize money and US Open Series bonus prize money for the top three men’s and women’s finishers in the US Open Series are illustrated below:
US Open Prize Money
US Open Prize Money USOS Bonus Prize Money
To Top Three US Open Series Finishers
The US Open Series is the six-week summer tennis season linking 10 major ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments to the US Open. The US Open Series launched in 2004, and resulted in record attendance and TV viewership with over 200 live broadcast hours. Television viewership was up over 50%, with regularly scheduled broadcasts on ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and The Tennis Channel. In total, the US Open Series events - - including the US Open - - generated a record 1.5 million attendees, 126 million TV viewers and over 15 million website visits. Lindsay Davenport and Lleyton Hewitt won the inaugural US Open Series.
The 2005 US Open is expected to attract over 625,000 fans, making it the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. More than 86 million viewers watched the 2004 US Open on CBS Sports and USA Network, and international broadcasts reached 199 countries. New fan enhancements at the 2005 tournament will feature a multi-million dollar upgrade of the USTA National Tennis Center grounds, including the opening of the US Open Court of Champions attraction, a renovated South Plaza, and the introduction of “US Open Blue” courts.
The 2005 US Open will be held Monday, August 29 through Sunday, September 11. Tickets for the 2005 US Open can be purchased four ways: 1) at usopen.org; 2) by calling Ticketmaster at 1-866-OPEN-TIX; 3) at all Ticketmaster outlets; or 4) at the USTA National Tennis Center box office.
[Note: 2005 US Open prize money includes player prize money and per diems, and does not include fees to governing and sanctioning bodies.]