Written by Alberto Amalfi | @TennisNow | Thursday, August 15, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Calvin
Players will receive a salary increase on the World Tennis Tour next year.
The International Tennis Federation has announced that it will add $5 million in prize money, a 26% increase, to the 2025 World Tennis Tour.
More: Electronic Calling Failed in Cincinnati Causing Controversy
A record total of $35.3 million will be awarded in 2025 when more than 1,100 tournaments will be played around the world. This is a 20% increase from the total of $29.4 million available in 2024.
The ITF said “the increase is designed to help ease the challenging financial conditions many players face, by increasing their earning capacity and, for women, reducing hotel costs – an important part of a player’s budget.”
There are five tournament levels on the ITF World Tennis Tour for women: W15 and W35 (entry level); W50, W75 and W100 (equivalent to ATP Challenger level). By 2025, there will be a total of $20.7m available – a record total for the fourth consecutive year.
The 2025 draft will see many other improvements to the women’s events, further reducing the gap between the same women’s and men’s competitions. This includes:
Mandatory hospitality for all W50 and W75 events to join the existing requirement for W100 events (a total of 28,000 free overnight stays for women, starting at 5,000 nights in 2024)
W50 and W75 tournaments will provide a minimum of 3 nights accommodation for Main Draw singles players (4 nights at W100 level) and a minimum of 2 nights accommodation for doubles players.
Increase in prize money for W75 level tournaments from $60,000 to $70,000 These enhancements build on recent years’ increase in the number of W50, W75, W100 level tournaments: from 76 in 2019 to over 150 in 2024.
There are two levels of competition on the ITF World Tennis Tour for men – M15 and M25 (entry level). By 2025, there will be a total of $14.6m available – a record total for the third consecutive year.
Prize money for the four World Tennis Tour qualifiers for men and women will increase from $15,000 to $20,000, and $25,000 to $30,000. This will add $5 million to the game at the entry level and represent a 26% increase by 2024.
In addition, the number of World Tennis Tour matches that will be broadcast live will increase to more than 22,000, including every match in the M25, W50, W75 and W100 level events.
“The ITF World Tennis Tour is an important part of the tennis eco-system, and is a recognized pathway to the highest level of the game,” said ITF President David Haggerty. the best prize money, high standards and stable programming that make the tour a fair and inclusive place for female and male players to fulfill their potential.
“Importantly, another year of improved hospitality and accommodation for women and the fourth year in a row of record awards demonstrates our commitment to achieving gender equality at all levels. The progress we have seen on the ITF World Tennis Tour in recent years continues at a rapid pace, and we are excited for the future.”
