Association Of Tennis Professionals Announces Prize Money Will Reach $100M In '15

The Association of Tennis Professionals said on Friday that prize money on the men's tennis tour will reach $100M for the first time in '15, according to Andrew Both of REUTERS. ATP World Tour purses will "then climb even higher," to $135M by '18. The figures "do not include grand slam events, which are not run by the ATP." The "biggest increases will be in the ATP Masters events, a series of nine tournaments which are next in terms of prestige to the four grand slams," with prize money rising 14% annually through '18 (REUTERS, 12/13). The PA reported the ATP said that increases "will take effect over the next four years." The ATP said in a statement, "The increases at ATP events are a testament to the sustained success of men's professional tennis, as well as demonstrating the ATP's confidence in the strength of its product and projected growth in future years" (PA, 12/12).