France, Aug. 7 -- Winners of the men's and women's singles championships at the US Open next month will receive a record $5 million in prize money, tennis chiefs in the United States confirmed on Thursday.

Last year's champions - Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka - were each handed a cheque for $3.6 million for coming through seven matches on the hard courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre at Flushing Meadows in New York.

The increase comes as part of a total purse of $85 million to the world's top players in singles, doubles and wheelchair events and pushes the US Open well ahead of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon which host the three other Grand Slam tournaments.

Last month on the grass courts of the All...