French Open singles champions will get a record €1.65M ($2.3M) each, "with first-week losers receiving the biggest raise as the tennis tournament responds to players’ demands for more even prize money," according to Danielle Rossingh of BLOOMBERG. The tournament "has lifted prize money for its singles champions" by 10%, while losers in the second, third and fourth rounds will get as much as 25% more. The increases "are part of a four-year plan to increase players’ pay" by €10M ($13.8M) through '16. The prize-money pot at Roland Garros rises by €3M ($4.1M) to a tournament record €25M ($34.5M) (BLOOMBERG, 4/15). The BBC reported "the biggest increases have come for those losing in the early rounds." Players "who are beaten in the second and third rounds" will pick up €42,000 ($58,000) and €72,000 ($99,000) respectively -- "with the fourth-round losers taking home" €125,000 ($173,000). Tournament Dir Gilbert Ysern said, "This significant increase is part of the four-year plan developed for the years 2013 to 2016. It specifically targets players eliminated in the first week" (BBC, 4/15). REUTERS' Julien Pretot reported last year, Wimbledon had a total prize pool of €22.56M, while the U.S. Open had a $33.6M purse. This year's Australian Open prize money pool was $33M (REUTERS, 4/15).
