The USTA is working to "give equitable enhancements to all players at the U.S. Open," according to Cindy Shmerler of the N.Y. TIMES. Each player will get a $1,000 air travel stipend and $150 "to cover airport expenses, as well as five free racket stringings for every day a player has a match." There is also a new app that "allows competitors to secure transportation, practice courts, meal allowances and match tickets" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/25). SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Rob Schaefer notes about two-thirds of the purse total "will be handed out on the singles side, where the men’s and women’s champions will earn $3 million and the runners-up $1.5 million." It is a "far cry from 51 years ago, when men’s singles champion Ilie Nastase took home $25,000, and women’s singles champion Billie Jean King got $10,000, in the final year before the tournament became the first Grand Slam to offer equal winnings" (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/28 issue).
TOO HOT TO HANDLE: In N.Y., Filip Bondy wrote the "typically unbearable heat" during this tournament has "become an annual challenge to players." At least for the first week, the forecast is "for modest temperatures in the 70s and low 80s" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/26).
HONORING A LEGEND: In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote one of these years the U.S. Open "ought to find a way to honor Jimmy Connors, who did more to grow this country’s national championship more than any men’s player we ever had" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/26).
