USTA Increases U.S. Open Prize Money, Changes Schedule by 2015.

The USTA announced a substantial prize money increase for the U.S. Open along with moving the men's final back to Sunday in future years.

By Erik Gudris

(March 20th, 2013) -- Based on frequent discussions with players along with the ATP and WTA, the USTA announced a record increase in prize money for this year's upcoming U.S. Open.

The USTA will provide $50 million dollars worth of prize money by 2017 for the event. For this year, the organization will increase base prize money by an additional $4.1 million above the previously announced increase of four million dollars announced in December 2012.

The total prize money for the 2013 U.S. Open will now be $33.6 million up from $25.5 million last year.

The prize money increase is part of a five year agreement with both tours that is aimed at satisfying recent player demands for a bigger share of the profits at all the four Majors. This announcement coincides with the earlier increase in prize money made by organizers of the Australian Open and it is expected that organizers of Roland Garros and Wimbledon will follow suit.

The increase is expected to help the USTA achieve its current goals of expanding and improving the U.S. Open for players and for all who attend the annual two-week event as well as promote the sport throughout the country at every age level.

"This excellent outcome for the sport of tennis wouldn't have been possible without the open-mindedness and fairness of USTA President Dave Haggerty and the USTA staff,” said Roger Federer, President of the ATP Player Council. “They approached our concerns with a true spirit of partnership, and as President of the ATP Player Council I am personally grateful for their support. Everyone I have spoken with is excited about the increases in prize money, as well as the agreement to change the schedule for 2015 and beyond. The US Open is very special, and we all look forward to great competition at Flushing Meadows later this year, and in the years yet to come."

Men's Final to Shift Back to Sunday

In another response to frequent complaints by many players regarding the timing of the men's final falling on a Monday for the past several years, the USTA also announced a schedule shift by 2015.

On that year, the men's final will move back to the second Sunday of the tournament with the men's semis to be played on Friday. As a result, the women's final will also move back to Saturday with the women's semis contested on Thursday.

Through a telephone conference call, USTA officials discussed the changes. Though they admitted the prize money increase will cost the organization more money in the long run, they do not believe it will significantly impact their programs or cause ticket prices to rise.

"Well, I think that we know that this announcement is going to cost the USTA more money, and I think that we certainly know that it's going to affect some of what we do, some of our programs, so from an expense perspective, we'll take a look and be diligent at what we do there," said USTA Chairman, CEO and President Dave Haggerty. "What we will not do is we will not drastically increase the ticket prices for our fans and spectators to pay for it. Certainly inflationary increases over years may be what you see, but we're not going to put it to the fans; put it that way."

When asked if the shift in the men's final to Monday was a last minute decision, U.S. Open Tournament Director Dave Brewer said, "No, I think that certainly with the physicality of the game, the players, on the men's side especially, with the long five-set match, perhaps in the semifinals, they need a day of rest, and we have had a day of rest these last couple of years. We had told the players last year that we would do that. The only way that we can do it now and for the next two years is to have it on Monday, and I think they appreciate the day of rest in between, and I think that in 2015 they look forward to a Sunday final on the men's side and a Friday semifinals."

Another change in scheduling will also occur in the first round of the men's event that is currently stretched out over three days. In 2015, the first round of men's singles will go back to being played on the first Monday and Tuesday.

The shift in scheduling starting in 2015 also coincides with the expected ending of the long-running television deal current between CBS Network and the USTA. That contract, which brought about the popular "Super Saturday" on the final weekend of the event, is set to conclude at the end of 2014.

(Photo Credit: Andrzej Kentla )