FILE – Spectators cheer on Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland during their semi-final match of the French Open tennis tournament on the center court of the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, June 7, 2019. The French Federation of tennis said on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the French Open prize money will increase by almost seven percent to $46 million (43.6 million euros) compared to the pre-coronavirus edition of 2019. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)
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Total French Open prize money will be around 7% higher this year than it was for the last pre-pandemic edition in 2019 – with a 35% increase for players who lose in the first singles round – but the singles champions will each receive slightly less than three years ago.
The French Tennis Federation announced on Wednesday that it will distribute a total of 43.6 million euros (around $46 million) in 2022.
The clay-court Grand Slam tournament begins on May 22, with Novak Djokovic and Barbora Krejcikova as the defending champions.
The winners of the two singles trophies this year will each earn €2.2 million (approximately $2.3 million), up from €2.3 million (approximately $2.4 million) each in 2019.
Compared to last year, when the coronavirus pandemic led to attendance limits at Roland Garros, there is an increase of 34.4 million euros (about $36.5 million) in total prize money and €1.4 million (just under $1.5 million) for the singles champions.
First-round singles losers will receive 62,000 euros (about $65,750) this time around, a jump from 46,000 (about $48,750) in 2019.
In total, compared to 2019, the singles market increased by nearly 1.5% and that of the double by around 6%.
Players in the qualifying rounds will see an increase of around 65% in available money compared to 2019 and 30% compared to last year.
The federation said the raises for first-round singles matches and qualifying “are designed to help those players who have suffered the most” financially due to the pandemic.
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