Wimbledon hikes total prize money

Wimbledon prize money will approach $20 million this summer, with the men's champion earning $50,000 more than the women's winner. The total figure for the June 20-July 3 tournament is going up 3.9 percent to $19.16 million at current exchange rates, the highest prize money for a tennis tournament, the All England Club said Tuesday .Players are benefiting from the rising value of the British pound against the American dollar.

The men's champion will get $1.19 million while the women's winner will receive $1.14 million. Total prize money for the men's singles and doubles will be $9.56 million and $8.17 million for the women. The balance will go to mixed doubles and invitational events. Last year, Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer became the first $1 million Wimbledon winners. Maria Sharapova's prize was worth $1.002 million in July 2004. Мария (Маша) Шарапова