Roland Garros Raises Prize Money For 2012

(April 18, 2012) In a nod to growing complaints from players about the size of overall prize purses handed out at the Grand Slams, organizers of the French Open announced on Friday that this year's event will raise its overall purse by seven percent.

The biggest increase will go to those eliminated in the first round. First round losers will receive a check for $23,670, a 20 percent increase from last year.

Men's and women's singles champions will each receive a prize winner's check for $1.64 million, a modest four percent increase from 2011.

Andy Murray praised the move saying "It's great the French Open has stepped up."

The French Open will take place from May 27th to June 10th.