Australian Open To Offer Increased Prize Money

Written by: Staff on 20th December 2012

Australian Open To Offer Increased Prize Money

epa03084804 Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the winner's trophy after winning his men's single final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 30 January 2012. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

Tennis Australia has announced official prize money figures for the 2013 Australian Open with the two singles champions guaranteed to receive $Aus 2.43 million ($US 2.55m) but also responding favorably the demands that prompted boycott calls a couple of months ago for improved payouts to early round losers.

First-round losers at Melbourne Park will receive $27,600 ($US28,961), representing a 32.7 % rise from 2012; second-round exits will see a 36.6% increase with $Aus 45,500 ($ US 47,743) and; third-round losers will pick up $Aus 71,000, ($US 74,500) an added 30%.

With a record total purse of $Aus 30 million on offer, prize money for the fourth round, quarter-finals and semis has gone up by an average of more than 14% while players losing in the three rounds of qualifying will enjoy a 15% increase first-round doubles prize money has increased more than 30%.

Tennis Australia tournament director Craig Tiley insisted his motivation was to ensure all professional players who make the sometimes long, arduous and expensive trip to Melbourne Park, earn proper remuneration. “I want to them make a decent living,” he said.

“As we have said in the past, it is a real issue and needs to be urgently addressed throughout the sport.

“That is why the biggest increases are in the earlier rounds, qualifying and doubles which in effect rewards a lot of the lower-ranked players for their achievements which, by the way, should not be undersold.”

Tiley and Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood worked quickly after strike calls intensified in August, prior to the US Open.

Tiley continued: “To just reach the main draw of a slam, a professional tennis player has to be among the top 100 in what is one of, if not the most, competitive professional sport in the world.

“At the same time, we also still want to continue to recognize the incredible drawing power and contribution of the top players.”

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Australian Open, Australian tennis news, prize money raised, Sports, Tennis News