US Open wildcard Matthew Forbes to lose at least $100,000 in prize money at Grand Slam debut due to NCAA rules

Matthew Forbes, a main draw wildcard entrant for the 2024 US Open, will be foregoing his prize money per NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules. Forbes will be joining Michigan State University (MSU) in the fall and the NCAA limits the amount of prize money a college athlete can accept.

NCAA rules state:

"In tennis, prior to full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on his or her place finish or performance in open athletics events (events that are not invitation only). Once the individual has reached the $10,000 limit in a particular year, he or she may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual's actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event."

Due to this rule, the MSU-bound Forbes will lose the significant prize money earned after qualifying for the main draw. He will begin his campaign against Roman Safiullin in the first round and could face Matteo Arnaldi in the second round.

Forbes earned a wildcard into the main draw after his victory at the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships. He defeated 16-year-old Jack Kennedy 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 to lift the title, becoming the first-ever active MSU player to qualify for the New York Grand Slam.

Speaking about his impending US Open debut, Forbes said that it meant a lot to him to be the first Michigan State player to play in the New York Slam.

"It means a lot to play in the US Open and, as a Spartan, to be the first Michigan State player to play in the US Open," Forbes said (via the Michigan State Spartans website).

He also said that it was a 'hard work-pays-off' moment for him after a poor season.

"Yeah, especially with this year. It's been a rough year for me. Before just tournaments-wise, I hadn't been doing as well as I want to, so it's nice knowing that all the hard work that I've been putting in this year is paying off," Forbes added.

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Naomi Osaka, Dominic Thiem receive US Open 2024 wildcards

Naomi Osaka at the US Open 2018 (Image: Getty)

Former champions Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu received a main draw wildcard for the 2024 US Open. The duo has their task cut out for them as they will begin their campaign against Jelena Ostapenko and Jasmine Paolini respectively.

Amanda Anisimova, McCartney Kessler, Alexa Noel, Iva Jovic, Chloe Paquet, and Taylah Preston have also received a place in the main draw.

On the men's side, Grand Slam champions Dominic Thiem and Stan Wawrinka have received a wildcard for the main draw. They will begin their campaign against Ben Shelton and Mattia Bellucci respectively. The Austrian is set to retire after this season.

Apart from Forbes, Christopher Eubanks, Zachary Svajda, Learner Tien, Alexandre Muller, and Tristan Schoolkate have also received a ticket to the main draw.