The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Win Wimbledon, be a millionaire

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Win Wimbledon, be a millionaire

WIMBLEDON, APRIL 27. Wimbledon could have its first $1 million winners — both men and women — at this summer's championships.

Wimbledon officials on Tuesday announced the winner's share for the men would be £602,500, which works out to $1,077,270 at the current exchange rate of $1.788 to the British pound. Women will collect £560,500, which comes to $1,002,174.

Tim Phillips, chairman of the All England Club, noted competitors would benefit from the rising value of the pound against the American dollar. ``Both singles champions will earn over $1millon with today's exchange rate,'' Mr. Phillips said. ``Because the pound is 15.7 per cent stronger to date than it was 12 months ago, they will get those benefits.''

The total prize money for the June 21-July 4 tournament will be £9,707,280, or $17,356,616. Total prize money a year ago was £9,373,990. This is a 3.6 per cent increase in British pounds, and 16.4 per cent in U.S. dollars.

Mr. Phillips defended Wimbledon's continuing policy of paying the men more than the women. Of the four Grand Slams, the Australian Open and U.S. Open pay equal prize money. The French Open and Wimbledon give less to women. — AP

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport