Wimbledon confirm record prize money in absence of Russian stars – RT Sport News

Britain’s Wimbledon tennis tournament has announced that its women’s and men’s singles champions will take home an equal salary of £2 million ($2.5 million) each from a record prize money of £40.35 million ($50 millions of dollars).

The move puts an end to speculation that the Grand Slam having ranking points taken away by the ATP and WTA men’s and women’s tours could lead to reduced funds.

The tours decided on their action in response to the Wimbledon ban of Russian athletes for their country’s military operation in Ukraine.

And although top pros such as Naomi Osaka suggested they might skip SW19 this summer due to lack of ranking points, which effectively made the tournament a « exposure » event, the improvement in the prize money could cause it and others to reconsider such a position.

The total prize offered is an 11.1% increase from the 2021 event and a 5.4% increase from 2019.

At this year’s edition of the tournament, a full-capacity crowd will also enjoy the action for the first time since the pandemic hit in 2020.

« From the first round of qualifying competition to the crowning of champions, this year’s prize distribution aims to reflect how important the players are to the Championships as we look to continue to deliver one of the premier sporting events in the world. world », said Wimbledon chairman Ian Hewitt when announcing the increases.

While players who lose in the first round of the singles event will rake in £50,000 ($62,000), runners-up can take home over £1 million ($1.25 million) from the English capital.

Despite his opposition to the treatment of Russian players, men’s world number one Novak Djokovic will defend his 2021 crown at Wimbledon but will not face competition from world number two Daniil Medvedev.

In the media, however, US Open leader Medvedev revealed he was still ready to play in the season’s climax on grass if there was a change of mind from the organizers before 27 June, when Wimbledon kicks off.

« If I can play at Wimbledon, I will be happy to be there, even without points » Medvedev recently confirmed.

Due to her retirement earlier this year, Ashleigh Barty may be replaced by the likes of current WTA world number one Iga Swiatek, who won the French Open last weekend as champion. women’s singles at Wimbledon.

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