The Organisers of the Australian Open has announced a 14% hike in prize money for next month’s tournament at Melbourne Park.
January’s major will be the first time in the tournaments 105-year history that they have issued over $50 million in prize money. The biggest rise (in terms of percentage) occurs in the early rounds of the tournament. First round losers will receive $50,000, a 30% increase on the 2016 tally of $38,500. Meanwhile, players who exit in the second and third rounds will see an increase of 19% and 20%. The qualifying draw will also see a big increase in pay, with a 39% rise being applied to all three rounds.
“We are committed to further improving the pay and conditions on the international tennis tour to ensure every professional tennis player is properly compensated,” Craig Tiley said.
“It was especially important for us to increase the compensation for players in the early rounds and qualifying, and this year we have made some real gains. We are constantly reviewing ways to improve the life of every player on tour, not just the top 100. This includes increasing prize money as well as removing as many costs as possible associated with playing our events.
“Our aim is to shift the break-even point for professional players, to ensure that tennis is a viable career option for the best male and female athletes in the world. We are also committed to equal prize money, equal exposure and equal opportunity for men and women.”
Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber are the current champions of the event. If they successfully defend their titles next month, each player will receive a payment of $3.7m, a 9% increase on what they were awarded this year. This 9% rise is also applicable to all players that reach the last eight at the tournament and beyond.
Since 2001 the prize money at the Melbourne major has dramatically increased by over 300% from $31.1m to the new total of $50m.
2017 Australian Open prize money
