By Paul Osborne

The Aegon Championship at the London's Queen's Club will become an ATP World Tour 500 event from 2015November 8 - The Aegon Championships at Queen's Club, London and the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, will become World Tour 500 events in 2015 following an announcement from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).


The ATP also announced a significant increase in the prize money seen at ATP World Tour 500 events which will see the total prize money across the Tour increase from $17.6 (£11/€13.2) million in 2013 to $30.8 (£19.3/€23) million in 2018.

Laurent Delanney, chief executive of ATP Europe, expressed his delight at the announcement.

"We are delighted to have reached this outcome which sees significant prize money increases for the players, as well as the addition of two very strong tournaments in Queen's and Halle to the ATP World Tour 500 category from 2015," he said.

"The decision not only strengthens the 500s category as a whole but also enhances the grass-court season leading into Wimbledon.

"It is a terrific outcome for our players, tournaments and the sport as a whole."

Andy Murray was crowned king of the Queens Club when he won the 2013 ATP Aegon Championships in JuneAndy Murray was crowned king of the Queens Club when he won the 2013 ATP Aegon Championships in June



The change in category for the Aegon Championships and the Gerry Weber Open will mark a three week grass court swing between Rolland Garros, The French Open, and Wimbledon.

"When we announced the creation of a three-week gap between Roland Garros and Wimbledon from 2015, our aim was to establish a longer and more significant grass court season as part of the international tennis calendar," said Philip Brook, chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis Club

"Many people have since worked very hard to bring this about and I am delighted to welcome today's announcement of the increases in prize money and the elevation in status of the Aegon Championships and Gerry Weber Open.

"Both events have been key pillars in promoting grass court tennis for many years and I wish to thank the ATP, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Halle for their contribution and enthusiasm in helping to turn an exciting vision into an exciting reality."

Queen's and Halle will join Rotterdam, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, Barcelona, Hamburg, Washington, Tokyo, Beijing, Valencia and Basel as ATP World Tour 500 events.

Roger Federer holds the record for most singles titles at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle with six inncluding four consecutive titles from 2003-2006Roger Federer holds the record for most singles titles at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle with six, including four consecutive titles from 2003-2006



Following the announcement, Simon Long, LTA chief commercial officer, said: "The Aegon Championships is a world class sporting event and a fixture of the British summer calendar.

"Our investment in upgrading the tournament will inspire more people to play and follow tennis, and further strengthen the grass court season in the run up to The Championships, Wimbledon, so I would like to thank our partners at the ATP and the All England Club for their support in achieving this important result."

The tournament director of the Gerry Weber Open, Ralf Weber was also keen to talk of his delight at The Open being re-categorised for the 2015 season.

"This is a very proud moment for us, and a true reflection of the success of the Gerry Weber Open over the past two decades," he said.

"The ATP has honoured our commitment as well as our innovations over the past 21 years, and we are delighted to be joining the ATP World Tour 500 category.

"We have played a decisive role in raising the importance and stature of lawn tennis on the international tennis calendar, and we look forward to many successful years ahead."

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