Marcelo Demoliner played US Open while injured to secure prize money

Brazilian tennis player Marcelo Demoliner revealed that he competed in his US Open debut despite suffering a pectoral strain during training. Demoliner explained that tournament rules regarding prize money motivated his decision to play while injured.

According to the athlete, if a player does not compete within a 21-day window, they are ineligible for even 50% of the prize money. For doubles players reaching the first round, the total prize is approximately $35,000, which results in a share of roughly $15,000 (approximately R$ 90,000) per player. Demoliner noted that these earnings are vital for maintaining a doubles player's seasonal budget.

To manage the pain and participate, Demoliner used anti-inflammatories, paracetamol, and shoulder taping. He described the physical difficulty of the match, noting that the injury severely limited his ability to serve and hit forehands.