I like watching tennis. I wouldn't say I watch every match during every slam event, but I do watch some. The US Open tennis is on tv and here is what I don't understand: Why is it that in pretty much every major sport we hear plenty about a players salary or what they are playing for, yet in pro tennis it is rarely discussed?
I have thought about this in the past, and it then surfaced again when last night, Ryler Someoneyouneverheardof a qualifier, was playing Nadal. They talked about how he will make $30 000 in the Open compared to the $60 000 or so that he has made all season on his Satellite Tour. I have no idea how much Nadal will make when he wins the US Open, do you?
I decided to look into it and here is what I found out (I posted the research for the singles because that is all we ever see. If you care to see more, click here):
| 2008 US Open Prize Money Schedule | |||||
| |||||
| Winners | $ 1,500,000 | ||||
| Runners-Up | 750,000 | ||||
| Semifinalists | 320,000 | ||||
| Quarterfinalists | 160,000 | ||||
| Round of 16 | 80,000 | ||||
| Third Round | 46,000 | ||||
| Second Round | 30,000 | ||||
| First Round | 18,500 | ||||
| TOTAL (128) | $ 7,050,000 | $ 14,100,000 | |||
Total prize money that gets distributed to the players including doubles, etc is $19 200 000! That is a HUGE purse! Imagine the LPGA or PGA tour asking a sponsor for that much money.
That is some good coin. Hmmm, where did I put that tennis racket??
Some other interesting bits of info:
Nadal, the world's #1, has been a pro since 2001 and has made just under 20 million. This year he has made just under 6 million.
Federer, currently #2, has been a pro since 1998 and has made over $41 million. This year he has made just over $3 million.
Venus Williams turned pro in 1994 and has made over $20 million and has made just under $2 million this season.
Serena Williams turned pro in 1998, has made just over $20 million in her career and is also just under the $2 million dollar mark for the season.
Now we know :)
4 comments:
Shocking to learn that the womens' prize money is on par with the men....without being sexist here (oops too late!), the top female couldn't beat most club pros. But as long as they keep the cameras on the likes of 6'1" Ana Ivanovic, I'll keep watching.
Message to Nadal: fix your wedgies in the lockerroom!
Bermuda
As a matter of fact, the men have caught up with the women. Women used to earn more. When there is no dominant american, american's stop watching. Women's tennis had Capriati, Davenport and then the Williams sisters fueling them.
The top player couldn't beat most club pros? Yeah, and a 45 year old who has never played competitive golf is going to 'try out' for the senior tour in 5 years. Right.
"The top player couldn't beat most club pros? Yeah, and a 45 year old who has never played competitive golf is going to 'try out' for the senior tour in 5 years. Right."
The senior tour is men last time I checked (see apples and oranges!). Let's face it, the gap between male and female in sport is enormous. The elite female is watching from the sidelines in any male division of sports
And why is the womens' bracket only best of 3 sets?? Are 5 sets too tiring for females?
I didn't argue the difference between men and women's pro sports. Men are genetically quite a large % stronger than women. To deny that would be ridiculous. It is why men play from 7300 yds and women play from 6500 yds. I have no idea why they only play 3 sets, to me that is silly.
You originally stated that the 'top female couldn't beat most club pros'. That is what I hear in regards to golf too, that the top women on the LPGA aren't much better than your average club champion.
The analogy of the 45 year old, who has never played competitive golf, thinks he is going to compete on the senior tour. That comparison is in line with your original statement. Both equally absurd.
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