"Unreal that I can’t take the money I worked so hard for" - Fiona Crawley fuming as she forgoes $81,000 US Open winnings to retain NCAA eligibility

Fiona Crawley has expressed the unfairness of having to forgo her prize money from the 2023 US Open.

After getting a wild card entry into the New York Major qualifiers, Crawley, ranked World No. 731, defeated the likes of Reka Luca Jani, Tímea Babos, and Kimberly Birrell to ensure her Grand Slam main draw debut at Flushing Meadows.

In her opening round match, however, Crawley was defeated 6-2, 6-4 by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

For her troubles at the hardcourt Major, the University of North Carolina (UNC) student was guaranteed $81,000 in prize money — but it came with a catch. If she accepted the money, she would not have been eligible for NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) going forward.

Speaking after her defeat to Pavlyuchenkova, Crawley underlined the unfairness of not being able to collect the money she earned by reaching the main draw of the US Open.

"I would never take the money and never risk my eligibility, but I worked my butt off this week and it seems unreal that there are football and basketball players making millions in NIL deals, and I can’t take the money that I worked so hard for," she said. (via The News & Observer)

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"It just really hurts to feel like I let everybody down" - Fiona Crawley on her 2023 US Open exit

Fiona Crawley is a student at the University of North Carolina. [PC: Twitter/ITA_Tennis]

Fiona Crawley made her Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2023 US Open. However, she could not make her mark at the tournament after losing in the first round.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated the American qualifier 6-2, 6-4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday, August 29, to reach the second round of the season's second hardcourt Major.

Speaking after her defeat to the Russian, Crawley stated that she felt like she left everyone down by making a quick exit in New York.

"I had so much amazing support out there, and it just really hurts to feel like I let everybody down. I mean, I know I didn’t, but I feel like I did, because I didn’t play my best," she stated.

"This whole thing has been absolutely overwhelming in every way, good and bad," she added.

The 21-year-old also expressed her love for UNC and stated her disappointment at Grand Slam rules denying her the opportunity to carry a bag with their logo onto the court at the US Open.

"Everyone knows I bleed baby blue, and it crushed me I wasn’t allowed to bring my Carolina bag on court today. But this was a great experience. I’m going to get better and come back here," she expressed.

Meanwhile, World No. 98 Pavlyuchenkova's US Open run came to an end in the second round at the hands of Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.