The final WTA 500 tournament of 2024 takes place next week at the Japan Open in Tokyo, and the prize money has been released.
One of the oldest tournaments on the WTA Tour, the first edition of the Japan Open was played in 1973. Billie Jean King, who received a Congressional gold medal in the U.S. for her life achievements, won the first iteration of the tournament.
Many other high-profile players have secured the title since, including Martina Navratilova, Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Petra Kvitova, who is uncertain about returning to tennis after complications during her pregnancy.
Veronika Kudermetova is the defending Japan Open champion. She overcame Jessica Pegula impressively in straight sets in the final to claim the second WTA Tour title of her career.
Pegula will not return to the tournament this year. While disappointing for the fans, it is not surprising. The American does not want to risk an injury before the WTA Finals next month.
Naomi Osaka's participation is also doubtful. The four-time Grand Slam champion hopes to be able to play in her home event, but Osaka admitted the back injury she sustained at the China Open against Coco Gauff was worse than first thought.
Although losing Osaka would be a blow, many other great players are on the entry list. This includes Mirra Andreeva, Paula Badosa, Anna Kalinskaya, and Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The women who do compete at the 2024 Japan Open will have an opportunity to fight for the biggest share of a sizeable prize money pot of close to $1 million and win ranking points.
This year's Japan Open champion will be awarded a sizeable $142,000 and 500 ranking points. The possibility of taking home a six-figure sum for a one-week tournament should be an excellent incentive for the players.
Whoever loses in the final will receive 325 ranking points and $87,655. Osaka and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber are among the players who have been the runner-up in Tokyo.
Kudermetova and Pegula overcame Maria Sakkari and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the final last year, which shows how strong the entry list was for the 2023 event.
The losing semifinalists at the 2024 Japan Open will collect 195 ranking points and $51,205 for being among the four best players of the week at the final WTA-500 event of the season in Tokyo.
For the women who reach the quarterfinalists, $24,910 and 108 ranking points are on offer. Two main draw victories at the Japan Open are needed to receive those rewards.
Players who only manage one main draw win and go no further than that will still be awarded 60 ranking points and $13,590. Making a five-figure sum from winning one main draw contest shows that every match counts on the WTA Tour.
Only one ranking point will be given to players who lose in the opening round of the 2024 Japan Open. However, those women are still set to obtain $9,820 just for being in the main draw.
2024 Japan Open Tokyo WTA Prize Money & Points Overview:
| Points | Prize Money | |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 500 points | $142,000 |
| Finalist | 325 points | $87,655 |
| Semi-finalists | 195 points | $51,205 |
| Quarter-finalists | 108 points | $24,910 |
| 2nd round | 60 points | $13,590 |
| 1st round | 1 point | $9,820 |
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