The UTS Grand Final is set to return to London in December for the third year running, with a host of top players set to play for a staggering £1.37million prize pot. In 2023, Jack Draper took home the lightning bolt trophy at the unconventional tournament created by renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, before going on to have a breakthrough season.
Last year, Aussie world No. 10 Alex de Minaur emerged victorious, and this year’s undefeated champion will take home £680,979.
UTS events use a unique scoring format. Players compete to earn as many points as possible in four, eight-minute quarters before a sudden-death deciding point. The stakes are high – there are no second serves and shorter times between points.
The stars can also boost their points tally by using bonus cards, and they get unlimited coaching from the sidelines.
The UTS Tour travels across the globe throughout the year before the Grand Final, which has been staged in London for the last two years and will return to the Copper Box Arena in December.
British No. 1 Draper won the tournament two years ago on his debut, beating the likes of Casper Ruud and Holger Rune on his way to the title. At the time, he banked £431k for his efforts.
“That money goes a long way into investing in my tennis. I’m not a very materialistic guy, I’ll be putting that money towards becoming a better all-round athlete,” he said after sealing victory.
Last December, De Minaur earned £625k for three days’ work at the Copper Box and said: “I’ve enjoyed every moment I’ve been on court and obviously being able to finish the weekend with a title and a cheque, I won’t complain.”
This time around, a player who goes undefeated in all their matches at the Grand Final would win £680k.
Each match offers £110k, with the winner taking 70 per cent of the money and the loser taking 30 per cent. The final is winner-take-all, and there are bonuses for those who play more UTS events throughout the year.
Top players like De Minaur often use the Grand Final as a crucial part of their off-season, working on their cardio and staying match-fit. Last year, the likes of Andrey Rublev, Ugo Humbert, Alexander Bublik and Gael Monfils also competed in London.
After more than 20,000 fans attended the UTS Grand Final last winter, the event will return to the Copper Box Arena from December 5 to 7.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 13.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk