Johannesburg - Tennis South Africa (TSA) on Wednesday announced that it has increased the Soweto Open's overall prize money from R1 million to R1.5 million.
The additional half a million rand was negotiated between tournament hosts Tennis South Africa and partner Sport and Recreation South Africa.
TSA CEO Ian Smith said he hoped the increase would attract a better field of players for the event.
“Our tournament date falls directly in the middle of the European clay court season and with the Soweto Open being played on hard courts, players are reluctant to switch not only surfaces, but also hemispheres when planning their schedule.
“The additional prize money will allow us to attract a better entry which is always important for a tournament.
“The better the players that enter, the stronger the competition and overall interest in the event.”
The Soweto Open will be played over two weeks with the ATP sanctioned men's event being played from April 29 to May 4, while the women's event, sanctioned by the ITF and WTA, will be played from May 6 to 11.
Both tournaments will be played at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Complex in Soweto, in the City of Johannesburg.
Sapa