SIDELINES : Wimbledon Purses Raised 23%

Wimbledon will pay $6.4 million in purses this year, a 23% increase over 1989, with doubles teams and even first-round losers benefiting the most from the biggest pot on the tennis tour.

That keeps Wimbledon at the top of the tennis prize-money list, ahead of the U.S. Open, at least until the American tournament announces its 1990 purse.

Wimbledon offered $5.2 million last year, while the U.S. Open offered $5.1 million.

The men’s singles champion will get $379,500, while the women’s champion receives $341,550. Both are 21% jumps from 1989.

Men’s doubles champs will split $155,480, women’s doubles winners $134,492 and mixed doubles champions $66,000. The men’s and women’s winners have earnings increased 43%, while the mixed-doubles first prize is up 29%.