WTA Finals: Barty crowns season with record jackpot

The Australian dethroned defending champion Elina Svitolina in straight sets 6:4, 6:3. For her success, she collected 4,42 million US dollars (3,96 million euros), more prize money than any tennis professional at a single tournament before.

Mega jackpot At the premiere of the elite tournament in Shenzhen, a total of 14 million dollars was paid out - twice as much prize money as last year in Singapore. The previous record was $3,85 million for the winners of the individual competitions at the US Open in New York. The doubles players also won in Shenzhen: Anna-Lena Grönefeld (Germany) and her partner Demi Schuurs (Netherlands) shared $265.000 for reaching the semi-finals.

But there's no comparison to Barty, who increased her season earnings to $11,3 million - that's how much previous Grand Slam winners like Jana Novotna, Conchita Martinez and Marion Bartoli had earned in their entire careers. The great Steffi Graf received “only” $22 million in prize money in her unique career with 21,895 major titles. At the men's season finale in London (November 10th to 17th), a maximum of $2,463 million awaits the winner. Lost out in the final: Elina Svitolina © APA/afp / NOEL CELIS

Barty's motivation for the final, however, came less from the prospect of the gigantic check. As nice as it is for the progress of the women's tour, "I personally and I think all the other players don't think about it," said the French Open winner. The previous four defeats in four duels with Svitolina were motivation enough for Barty - after just 1:27 hours she won the “Billie Jean King Trophy”.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Barty won against the number two seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova 4:6, 6:2, 6:3, Svitolina led against Belinda Bencic 5:7, 6:3, 4:1 before the Swiss Match ended early. In general, the season finale was overshadowed by several tasks. In the group stage, Naomi Osaka (Japan), Bianca Andreescu (Canada) and Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) withdrew due to injuries.

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WTA Finals: Barty crowns season with record jackpot

Tennis world number one Ashleigh Barty crowned her most successful season to date with her fourth tournament victory and a record jackpot at the WTA finals in Shenzhen, China.

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