Unexpected Walkover Secures Six-Figure Prize Boost for Belgian Tenniser at US Open

Belgian competitor Zizou Bergs just landed an unexpected financial windfall at the US Open – courtesy of an opponent’s withdrawal. World No. 5 Jack Draper’s exit from the tournament due to arm injury handed Bergs a direct ticket to the third round without stepping onto the court, marking the first men’s singles walkover of the event.

The monetary impact is significant. Bergs, currently ranked 48th globally, was originally guaranteed $154,000 for his second-round appearance. With his third-round advancement now secured, his tournament earnings jumped to a minimum of $237,000 – an unexpected $83,000 boost simply for showing up at the draw.

The Prize Money Reality for Lower-Ranked Players

For professionals outside the elite rankings, Grand Slam tournaments represent the year’s most lucrative opportunities. Former top-50 competitor Maximilian Marterer articulated this reality last year, explaining that major championships provide crucial financial stability for players to cover coaching fees, travel expenses, and operational costs – a safety net unavailable during regular tour events.

At just 26 years old, Bergs is experiencing his second career appearance in a major’s third round, having previously reached that stage at Roland Garros twelve months ago. His career earnings heading into this US Open totaled approximately $850,786, with his lifetime prize pool standing near $2.3 million.

Record-Breaking Prize Distribution

The 2024 US Open is delivering unprecedented compensation, becoming tennis’s first event to distribute $90 million in total player earnings. Champion purses reached $5 million – a 39% jump from last year’s winners (Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka each pocketed $3.6 million).

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, instrumental in advocating through the Professional Tennis Players Association, acknowledged the progress while maintaining that substantial improvement remains necessary. He noted the positive trajectory but emphasized that commercial interests and inflation considerations should inform continued discussions about competitive compensation.

Should Bergs defeat third-round opponent Gabriel Diallo or Jaume Munar, his accumulated purse would reach $400,000 – transforming this walkover into a career-defining financial moment.