Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 2 from Belarus, won her second Grand Slam championship of 2024 at the US Open on September 7. She beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in straight sets. Sabalenka previously reached the US Open final in 2023 but was defeated in three sets by local favourite Coco Gauff. Sabalenka rebounded this year, adding the US Open trophy to her formidable collection.
Earlier in 2024, she won the Australian Open, becoming the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both hardcourt majors in the same season.
Sabalenka’s victory at the US Open won her a sizable reward of USD 3,600,000 ( Rs. 30 Crore) from a total prize fund of $75,000,000. The runner-up, Jessica Pegula, received USD 1,800,000. Emma Navarro and Karolina Muchova, the semi-finalists, were each awarded USD 1 million.
The quarter-finalists received USD 530,000 apiece, while those who were eliminated in the fourth round received USD 325,000 each. Players who were eliminated in the third round received USD 215,000 each, those removed in the second round received USD 140,000, and those ousted in the first round received USD 100,000 each.
