Big boost: Wimbledon champions to receive record $6.7 million
Barbora Krejcikova kisses the Wimbledon trophy after her win in the women's singles in 2024.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
Wimbledon has increased its prize money for this year's championships to NZ$120 million, a 7 percent increase on 2024 and double what they offered a decade ago, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said.
The singles champions will receive NZ$6.7m each, the highest across all Grand Slams and a 11.1 percent increase on the prize money
Carlos Alcaraz
and
Barbora Krejcikova took home last year
.
Singles players who exit the first round will receive $148,000, a 10 percent increase on last year. Doubles prize money has also increased by 4.4 percent, mixed doubles by 4.3 percent and the wheelchair and quad wheelchair events by 5.6 percent.
The increase also comes after the world's top players called for significant improvements in prize money at the four Grand Slams as a way to ensure a more equitable distribution of revenue.
"We have listened to the players, we have engaged with the players," AELTC chair Deborah Jevans said.
"But the focus on just the prize money at the four events, the Grand Slams, does not get to the heart of what the challenge is with tennis.
"The challenge with tennis is the fact that the players don't have an off-season which they want, they have increasing injuries that they're speaking about."
Jevans added that Wimbledon was willing to engage and talk with the tours to try and find solutions but there has not been any proposal as to how the tour would be able to change its structure.
Carlos Alcaraz plays a forehand at Wimbledon in 2024.
Photo:
John Patrick Fletcher
The AELTC also said the doubles finals on the weekend would start at 1pm local time and the singles finals at 4pm.
Such a change could potentially change playing conditions - like having the roof closed and the lights switched on - if the match runs long and well into the night.
The French Open final this month where Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner lasted five hours and 29 minutes, but Bolton said the change in timing would ensure an "improved experience" for all.
"Whether that's the doubles finalists having greater certainty over their schedule, whether it's the fans having the opportunity to experience a day which builds to the crescendo of the singles finals or ensuring that we have our champions crowned in front of the widest possible audience," she said.
This year's championships also marks a break with an age-old tradition where line judges will be replaced for the first time with the electronic line calling system that is in place at tournaments worldwide.
Bolton said "the time is right to move on", adding that many line judges would return in different roles as match assistants, with two assigned per court.
"They're extra eyes and ears, the assistant to the chair umpire... We've got about 80 of those across the Championships.
"They'll also provide one of the parts of our resilience in the event that the electronic line calling system goes down at any point in time."
- Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
NRL: The man behind NZ Warriors' 'next man up' philosophy
Warriors hooker Sam Healey is the latest to stake his claim on more first-grade minutes. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Only a few hours out from kickoff, NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan succumbs to a niggly hip injury and his understudy is thrust into the starting line-up to face Cronulla Sharks. This is where David Tangata-Toa earns his salary. Halfway through a season when the Auckland club hovers near the top of the NRL table, igniting hopes that this may finally be that elusive championship year, the secret to its success lies far beyond its star-studded premier team. "One of the best things is the boys made a pact themselves that they wanted to be a squad this year ," coach Andrew Webster said last month, as he surveyed a roster depleted by injuries. "It's going to be a squad that wins this, not just 17 players that play Round 1. We're certainly finding that out." With Egan gone, newcomer Sam Healey received the call-up from reserve grade and a chance to show his junior club, where dad Mitch played more than 200 games in the 1990s, just what it let slip through its fingers. In 47 minutes, he ran for 71 metres - all but four from dummy half - and made 27 tackles, as the Warriors produced their most complete performance so far for a 40-10 win over Cronulla . Healey's seamless inclusion epitomised the 'next man up' mentality that has served the programme so well and, as 'transition coach', Tangata-Toa has been one of the drivers of that philosophy. Earlier in the day, he guided his reserve side to victory over Newtown Jets, avenging their only defeat so far this season and maintaining their five-point advantage atop the NSW Cup competition. "We all want to be successful and, at the end of the day, coaches get judged on results," Tangata-Toa said. "Where I get my satisfaction from is seeing guys debuting, and then going up and doing a really good job. "On the weekend, Sam Healey was such a great story, playing against his old club, where he couldn't quite get an opportunity and relocated to New Zealand - he jumps in and does a really good job. "I've only coached Sam this year and have played hardly any role in that, but just to see a kid step up like that… it's great to see these kids realise their dreams and, if you can be around that, it's pretty cool." In his second NRL game, Healey was not the only one of Tangata-Toa's proteges on display against the Sharks. With co-captain Mitch Barnett sidelined by ruptured knee ligaments for the rest of the season, forward Tanner Stowers-Smith also made his second appearance off the bench, after debuting against the Dolphins last month. He'll likely build on that opportunity, as the campaign progresses. Through 14 rounds, others like Taine Tuaupiki, Ed Kosi, Ali Leiataua, Rocco Berry, Bunty Afoa and Te Maire Martin have played for both premiers and reserves, where they wait in the wings for their next chance to step into the spotlight. Whenever they are promoted, their replacements in reserve grade are often drawn from the Jersey Flegg (U21) programme. Tangata-Toa's role is threefold - he's hired to win games and prepare his players to perform at first grade when required, while helping develop the 'next' next wave of teenagers for the future, but not necessarily in that order. David Tangata-Toa is at the forefront of the Warriors' 'next man up' mentality. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Reserve grade I see as a development team," he said. "My role is to develop these players and get them ready for first grade, when they're called upon by Webby. "Obviously, if you can win some games along the way, that's development as well, because you have to teach the young kids how to win, so when they do get to first grade, there's that expectation of winning games. "The development side of it is super important around that 'next man up' mentality, so when they're called upon, they can do a job in the top grade." Tangata-Toa held similar development roles at Penrith Panthers, North Queensland Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs, but was summoned to Auckland, when Webster became head coach at the Warriors. The pair had crossed paths at Hull Kingston Rovers 15 years earlier, when Webster was an assistant and academy coach, and Tangata-Toa was ending his playing career. "Webby was actually my coach at Hull KR, but he was a year younger than me," he said. "We became friends there, and always coached against each other and kept in touch. "There was a position open up here so he rang me, as I was coming off contract at the Bulldogs, to see if I would relocate. We nutted it out and moved the family over here - it's been a good move." The Warriors reserves have reached the NSW Cup semis over the previous two years, but have been depleted when injuries to the top side pull players from the next level down. Last season, only Barnett and Jackson Ford played through the first 14 rounds. Halfway through this year's schedule, the Warriors have had eight players turn out in every one of their 13 first-grade games - centre Adam Pompey, halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Luke Metcalf, second-rower Kurt Capewell, and forwards Marata Niukore, Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima. That continuity has helped both teams maintain standards and build combinations, without dipping too deeply into the depth chart. "We've been really lucky this year," Tangata-Toa said. "Compared to last year, first-grade haven't had a whole lot of injuries, so we've been pretty lucky in reserve grade to keep the majority of our squad together. "There are a few changes every week, but last year, we were changing up to six players a week through injury and performance." During its three-year Covid-enforced exile across the Tasman, the club had to abandon its supplementary teams - including the NRLW side - as it focused on core business without the benefit of revenue from home games. Since returning home, the Warriors have fielded teams in the major New South Wales competitions, taking back-to-back Harold Matthews Cup (U17) at their first two attempts. "This is only the second year we've had all the junior pathway teams in the NSW competitions," Tangata-Toa said. "NSW Cup [reserves] have been in for three years now and the club's done a really good job around that. The first year back, they made the semis, last year they made the semis and this year, halfway through the season, they're sitting on top. "The club invests quite heavily in trying to keep those Kiwi kids at home, so we're starting to see some rewards around that." With former first-grade coach Andrew McFadden guiding the club's pathways, homegrown players can now see a route from school and club footy into NRL, without having to leave New Zealand. "The transition, you're starting to see it in the reserve grade competition," Tangata-Toa said. Tanner Stowers-Smith will have more opportunities in first grade, with the season-ending injury to Mitch Barnett. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "Only four years ago, the age of the reserve competition, you'd see a lot of 26-27-year-olds still playing and they would make up the majority of reserve grade teams, whereas now, you're probably only seeing one or two of those players in the competition, and the rest are 20-21-year-olds." The Warriors reserves are still well served by veterans with considerable first-grade experience. Half Tanah Boyd, 24, crossed the ditch this year from Gold Coast Titans, where he logged 68 NRL games, while centre/winger Morgan Harper, 26, has made 64 appearances at Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. Both are still awaiting their Warriors debuts. Since arriving in 2022. hooker Freddy Lussick, 24, has played 40 games for the club, but has tumbled down the pecking order to the point where he sometimes has to wear the unfamiliar No.10 jersey to start in reserve grade this season. Front-rower Afoa, 28, is the club's longest-serving player, after making his NRL debut in 2016, and has since amassed 145 games, including seven this season. He's become a fan favourite for returning kickoffs from the back fence and is still more than capable of stepping into top grade when required. Afoa probably has several years left in his playing career, but his most important role now may be as mentor to the young forwards trying to supplant him. That creates a delicate balancing act for Tangata-Toa, who must keep these journeymen motivated, while younger prospects are promoted around them. "It's potentially a tricky one, but it probably comes down to the individual and their attitude around it," he said. "As a coach, you've got to keep an eye out for that, but I've been really impressed with the guys. "There's a real connection, not just with the NRL and reserve grade, but the club in general, and that comes from Webby up top. "There's never been once this year where I've had to question a bloke's attitude, because they were a bit filthy they weren't getting called upon - they were just really happy for their teammates. "That's a rap on Webby as a head coach, that he's able to create this environment where everyone's in it for the right reasons." Bunty Afoa is the Warriors' longest-serving player and an example to the new generation. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The reserves train alongside - and often against - the premiers each week, measuring themselves against those they are trying to replace. When one limps to the sideline, another instantly fills their spot. "It's good to see these young boys coming through and getting the opportunity," lock Erin Clark said. "You never know when it comes and, when it does come, they're definitely ready, so that's good for us as a club. "From the lower grades up, we all train the same system, so we definitely know the man that steps up is ready." Last time the Warriors made the NRL Grand Final in 2011, club affiliate Auckland Vulcans also reached the NSW Cup final, while their U20 side won the National Youth Competition in extra time. They seemed on the verge of a dynasty then, but while the juniors won again in 2014 - Afoa was part of that team - the reserves and premiers have never returned to the finals since. Harold Matthews success may be an omen that reign may not be far off. The Warriors have suffered a variety of body blows this season - they've lost Addin Fonua-Blake, Marcelo Montoya, Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker across the Tasman, captain Tohu Harris and superstar Shaun Johnson to retirement, and now skipper Barnett to injury - but so far, they've found a way to keep moving forward. Much of that comes down to the job Tangata-Toa has done to prepare their replacements to answer the call. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Crusaders withstand late Blues assault to reach Super Rugby Pacific final
Will Jordan scores the winning try for the Crusaders against the Blues. Photo: Photosport The reigning champions have been deposed at Appollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. See how it unfolded:
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Former test lock Bryn Evans joins All Blacks as specialist lineout coach
Bryn Evans last played for the Highlanders three years ago. Photo: TREVOR COLLENS/AAP Former test lock Bryn Evans will join the All Blacks coaching team for 2025, as a specialist lineout coach. Just three years after retiring as a professional player, Evans has been rewarded for his contributions as an assistant coach at the Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay. He will join the All Blacks for their full 13-test calendar this year, before rejoining the Hurricanes for their 2026 campaign. All Blacks forward coach Jason Ryan said he and head coach Scott Robertson had been impressed by Evans' methods, which would provide a "point of difference". "He brings a unique skillset with his work with the Hurricanes and Hawke's Bay," Ryan said of Evans, 40. Bryn Evans debuts for the All Blacks against France. Photo: Simon Watts/Photosport "What I like is he's got a lateral thinking ability about him. He's an ex-lineout caller, and he had 12-plus years playing in the UK and France, which gives him a broad range of experience and an understanding of the northern hemisphere approach. "It's going to be a good complement for us. Bryn brings a skillset that I haven't got in terms of how they call lineouts, what pictures they see. "We believe it's a real point of difference having him, and making sure our skills are dialled in and leading the way in that area. "We believe having Bryn in this space, analysing us and the opposition, is just what we need." Evans played twice for New Zealand, coming off the bench in home tests against France in 2009. Meanwhile, in-form midfield back Peter Umaga-Jensen has announced he will leave the Super Rugby Pacific team with a year to run on his contract to take up a club deal in Japan. Peter Umaga-Jensen played one test for the All Blacks against Australia. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress The attack-minded Wellington provincial player debuted for the Hurricanes in 2018, going on to make 54 appearances in a tenure spoiled by injury. His only test appearance came off the bench against Australia in 2020, but he was unable to remain near the front of a logjam of contenders after that. Umaga-Jensen, 27, finished the current season on a high, scoring two tries in a final-round hammering of Moana Pasifika, including a brilliant 50m solo score. "I started here as a young fella chasing a dream and it's been an incredible ride ever since," he said. "I've made memories that will stay with me forever and built lifelong friendships that I'll always treasure. "One day, I hope I'll be sitting down with all the boys, sharing a beer and a laugh, as we look back on everything we experienced together." Umaga-Jensen has not disclosed which Japanese club he will join nor the length of his contract. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
