NEW YORK, July 14 ― The 2016 US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year, will dish out a record US$46.3 million (RM183.4 million) in prize money, including US$3.5 million for the men's and women's singles champions.

The bumped-up new purse, announced by the US Tennis Association, will make for an increase of about 10 per cent per round for players, with the singles runners-up commanding US$1.75 million.

The numbers outstrip those paid at the other Grand Slam events. This year’s Wimbledon champions, Andy Murray and Serena Williams, earned two million pounds apiece out of a prize money pool of £28.1 million.

"We are proud that this year's US Open will offer the richest purse in tennis history,” said USTA president Katrina Adams.

This year's edition of the US Open will begin August 23 and feature a new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium Court as well as a new Grandstand Stadium. ― AFP