By Erik Gudris
 
The USTA announced the round-by-round prize money breakdown for the singles competition for this year's US Open. The record $34.3 million dollar purse is the largest in the event's history with both men's and women's singles winners earning $2.6 million.
 
Prize money for each of the singles rounds will rise by at least 37%. First-round losers will earn $32,000, a 39% increase from last year. Round of 64 and Round of 32 losers will see a 43% increase in their earnings.
 
Winner:                     $2.6 million       (a 37% increase)
Runner-up:                $1.3 million       (a 37% increase)
Semifinalist:               $650,000         (a 37% increase)
Quarterfinalist:          $325,000          (a 37% increase)
Round of 16:             $165,000          (a 38% increase)
Round of 32:              $93,000           (a 43% increase)
Round of 64:              $53,000           (a 43% increase)
Round of 128:            $32,000           (a 39% increase)
 
Prize money for the qualifying event will also increase by 37.5% with a total purse of $1.4 million. Men's and women's doubles will see a jump in income by 12.7%.
 
The overall $34.3 million purse for the tournament also reflects increases made by the USTA for prize money for the Wheelchair Competition, the return of the Champions Invitational event featuring former stars of the sport and a rise in players' per diems.
 
This latest increase in prize money at the US Open follows the recent trend among all of the four Grand Slams that announced similar increases this year.