Sat Jul 12 15:30:00 UTC 2025: **News Article: Wimbledon Serves Up Record Prize Money After Player Pressure**
**London, UK – July 2, 2025** – The prestigious Wimbledon Championships are underway, and this year players are competing for a record-breaking £53.5 million (approximately $72.59 million) purse. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced a 7% increase in prize money in June, bowing to pressure from top tennis professionals who penned a letter advocating for improved compensation across all Grand Slam tournaments.
Singles champions in both the men’s and women’s divisions will each pocket a staggering £3 million ($4.07 million), an 11.1% jump from last year. Even first-round singles losers will take home a respectable £66,000 (about $90,000). Doubles teams and wheelchair division participants will also see a significant increase in prize money.
While AELTC chair Deborah Jevans acknowledged the importance of player compensation, she emphasized that the broader issue in professional tennis is the lack of an off-season, which leads to increased injuries.
The prize money increase comes after criticism from players and a demand for a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues. Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen noted that the prize money increases benefit not only top athletes, but those players striving to earn a living.
The rise in Wimbledon’s prize pool underscores the evolving landscape of professional tennis and the increasing value placed on player contributions. Wimbledon currently boasts the second largest prize pool of the Grand Slams, behind the U.S. Open. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Centre Court to see who emerges victorious and cashes in on this year’s record-setting payout.
First Piper 