Lloyd Harris’ dream run at the US Open in New York may have come to an end in the quarter-finals on Wednesday – but the rising South African tennis star earned the biggest payday in his pro career.
The 24-year-old from Cape Town, lost in straight sets to Germany’s Alexander Zverev 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows in what was his best performance to date in a Grand Slam.
Despite his quarterfinal exit, Harris takes home a cool $425 000 (R6 million) for his four victories in the main draw of the US Open.
In addition, Harris also took part in the men’s doubles, where he and his Israeli partner Jonathan Erlich lost in the second round.
The progression to the round of 32 earned Harris an additional $17 000 (R240 000), which is allocated to each player for reaching that stage of the competition.
His total earnings at the 2021 US Open were R6.24 million.
This year’s US Open offered total prize money of a staggering $57.5 million (R814 million).
In addition to his lucrative earnings, Harris is also expected to make significant strides on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world rankings.
Harris entered the tournament ranked 46th in the world.
Thanks to his impressive run to male it to the last eight, Harris will move up the rankings.
When the updated rankings are released next Monday Harris could be ranked 31st best in the world.
Meanwhile, Harris will remain in New York to play for South Africa in next week’s Davis Cup tie against Venezuela, at a venue just a stone’s throw away from the US Open facility.
