Wimbledon will have a record prize money of 40.3 million pounds ($50.5 million) at stake in front of capacity crowds who return for the first time in three years at this year’s championship.
The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive 2 million pounds, organizers said on Thursday.
“From the first round of the qualifying competition to the champions being crowned, this year’s prize money distribution aims to reflect just how important the players are to The Championships…,” said Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club.
The total prize money last year was a little over 35 million pounds, with Novak Djokovic and Ash Barty pocketing 1.7 million pounds each after winning the prestigious championship.
The third grand slam of the year will be held from June 27 to July 10.
The record prize money at Wimbledon may come as another attempt to cushion its reputation which has been marred by controversy this year.
There are no ranking points on offer for the participants at this year’s championships.
The grasscourt grand slam event had its ranking points taken away by the men’s ATP and women’s WTA after it opted to exclude players from Russia and Belarus because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Their decision to do so was criticized by players and both tours alike.
