World Record Prize Money To Be Paid At Australian Open

Written by: Staff on 20th December 2012

World Record Prize Money To Be Paid At Australian Open

epa03084717 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates 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 |

Australian Open officials are raising the stakes in the Grand Slam prize money wars and will pay a world record winner’s prize of nearly $2.5 million each to the man and woman who win the 2013 edition at Melbourne Park.

The biggest payout in the official history of the sport will also lift the waters for early-round losers, a key element in ATP player discontent in 2012 around the circuit. The hike is massive – 32.7 per cent for first-round losers, with $20,000 in the pocket – a dollars sum around five per cent more than the equivalent in comparable US greenbacks.

Second-round losers get a boost of nearly 37 per cent while those who exit in the third round walk with $71,000 (before taxes). Other round have experienced less of a rise, but still on the order of around 15 per cent,

Tennis Australia said they hiked the money after consultation with the ATP and WTA. “Our motivation is to make a major contribution toward helping ensure professional tennis players can make a decent living,” ” said tournament director Craig Tiley. “Ït 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. 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.

“It is always a balance which is why we undertook unprecedented consultation on this subject with the tours and players who have been extremely supportive,” Tiley said.

“We will not be stopping here. There will be more talks and more increases during the next four years. This is just a very positive first step.”

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Atp, Australian Open, Australian tennis news, Sports, Tennis News