CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston Open mentioned Sunday that it’ll pay equal prize cash to men and women beginning in 2026.
As well as, the occasion has prolonged its cope with title accomplice Credit score One Financial institution by means of 2031.
Prize cash for the WTA-500 degree occasion would be the similar as the lads’s ATP-500 degree occasion. That may make the Charleston Open the primary standalone WTA 500 match to hike prize cash earlier than the 2033 aim for all weeklong WTA 1000 and 500 occasions to pay the identical prize cash to ladies as for males.
The five hundred degree is 2 beneath Grand Slams and one degree beneath Masters 1000s.
“This dedication displays our dedication to advancing fairness each on and off the court docket, as we proceed to champion progress and alternative for all,” Amber Greenwalt, Credit score One Financial institution’s senior vice chairman of brand name and promoting, mentioned in an announcement.
The 2025 Charleston Open prize cash might be $1.06 million and had been set to rise to roughly $1.15 million for 2026. The purse will match the ATP 500 occasion, which generally is greater than $2 million, with the quantity finalized as soon as the official prize cash is launched for the 2026 season.
The nine-day occasion kicks off the clay season for the WTA Tour with a singles draw of 48 gamers, a qualifying draw of 28 and a doubles draw of 16. The Charleston Open is the biggest ladies’s-only tennis match in North America.
The Related Press contributed to this report.