Wimbledon announces 7.5% prize fund increase
LONDON, United Kingdom – Wimbledon has announced that it has raised its prize fund by 7.5% to $46.57 million ahead of the 2018 championships.
The winners of both the men’s and women’s singles titles will claim $3.08m, which is a jump from the $3.01m that was on offer in 2017.
Over the last decade, prize money at the championships has nearly trebled from $16.14m in 2008. During this period, first round prize money has jumped from $13,700 to $53,330, while the champions 10 years ago earned $1.03m.
This year, Wimbledon will award what it describes as “double digit increases to prize money in the first four rounds” of both singles competitions, as well as in qualifying.
Another development in qualifying is that the ladies’ singles draw will increase from 96 to 128, ensuring parity with the men.
Wimbledon will run from July 2-15, with Garbiñe Muguruza the defending ladies’ champion after defeating Venus Williams, 7-5, 6-0 in 2017 to claim her second Grand Slam title but first at the All England Club.
This year, however, she will likely face the return of seven-time winner Serena Williams, who won in 216 but was unable to defend her crown because of pregnancy last time around.
