EMMA RADUCANU would bank a record $5million (£3.7m) if she regained the US Open women’s crown next month.
Four years on from that fairytale success in New York, the 22-year-old heads to Flushing Meadows with a new coach, Rafa Nadal’s former guru Francisco Roig.
Raducanu’s title success in 2021 earned her $2.4m (£1.8m) so the top fee has doubled since then.
On Wednesday, US Open chiefs announced a bumper new prize fund for the men’s and women’s singles champions to combat ongoing player complaints about pay.
The tournament’s overall pot has been described as the “largest purse in tennis history”.
It has gone up in 12 months from $75m (£56m) to $90m (£67m) in total player compensation.
The 2024 champions, Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, received $3.6m (£2.7m) for their triumphs.
First-round main-draw losers will be compensated with $110,000 (£82,000) in cash.
The winning teams from the men’s and women’s doubles events – and from the new Mixed Doubles Championship – will split $1m (£750,000) in prize money.
Meanwhile, Raducanu has hired her eighth coach of her career to boost her chances in the US.
She has appointed former Rafael Nadal mentor Roig, 57, to help her on the court.
He is vastly experienced having worked with Nadal throughout his career.
He was No2 coach for the Spaniard for all 22 Grand Slam wins, working alongside his uncle Toni.
Raducanu’s team began discussions with Roig over him coming on board during Wimbledon, according to the Mail.
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