Belgian Star Bergs Secures Third-Round Berth as Draper's Withdrawal Boosts Prize Fund

Zizou Bergs has unexpectedly advanced to the third round of the US Open without stepping onto the court. World No. 5 Jack Draper, who was scheduled to face the Belgian player in Thursday’s second-round encounter, withdrew due to an arm injury, handing Bergs an automatic passage forward via walkover. This marked the first such occurrence in men’s singles draw this year.

The withdrawal proved financially consequential for Bergs. Originally projected to earn $154,000 upon reaching the second round, the 26-year-old now stands to collect no less than $237,000 for advancing further—a windfall of $83,000 without striking a ball. Should he prevail in his upcoming match against either 31st seed Gabriel Diallo or Jaume Munar, his earnings could reach $400,000.

Career Milestone in Context

For Bergs, currently ranked 48th globally, this represents a significant breakthrough. The third-round appearance marks only his second time reaching this stage at a major championship. Previously, he achieved the same milestone at Roland Garros twelve months ago. Before arriving in New York, Bergs had accumulated $850,786 in career earnings across 26 years of professional play, with lifetime career prize money totaling approximately $2.3 million.

The contrast between his world ranking and this financial opportunity underscores a fundamental reality of professional tennis. Jack Sock, the American competitor referenced in the initial matchup scenario, exemplifies how Grand Slam events function as critical income sources for mid-ranked professionals who rarely access such substantial purses elsewhere on the calendar.

Record-Breaking Prize Distribution

The 2024 US Open championship has introduced unprecedented prize money allocation, becoming the first tennis tournament to distribute $90 million in total player compensation. Champion’s earnings have surged to $5 million—a 39 percent increase from the previous year when Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka each received $3.6 million.

Maximilian Marterer, a former top-50 ranked player, previously articulated the significance of these payments: “Grand Slams represent the primary revenue opportunities for players outside the elite echelon. This funding provides essential security for operational expenses—coaching fees, travel arrangements, and facility costs.”

Industry Perspective on Prize Growth

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and Professional Tennis Players Association advocate, acknowledged the progress while noting persistent inequities. Speaking after his third-round victory over American Zachary Svajda, Djokovic stated: “This represents movement in a constructive direction. It’s encouraging that Grand Slams demonstrate commitment to expanding prize distribution across all competitive tiers.”

However, Djokovic tempered optimism with reality. “Whether this constitutes an optimal arrangement remains debatable. Substantial room exists for continued advancement.”

He highlighted the broader commercial ecosystem influencing tournament economics. “Contemporary sports operate within highly commercial frameworks. Grand Slams generate significant revenues themselves. When tournaments expand prize pools, they typically concurrent with increased revenue streams. Additionally, inflationary pressures merit consideration in these discussions. Nevertheless, this development undeniably represents positive momentum for professional athletes.”