Puchkova Lost In The First Round Of The Open But Earned $28,000

Written by: Staff on 14th January 2013

Puchkova Lost In The First Round Of The Open But Earned $28,000

epa03534493 Olga Puchkova of Russia serves to her compatriot Maria Sharapova during their 1st round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 14 January 2013. EPA/Barbara Walton |

Melbourne media have been doing their sums and marvelling over the Australian Open prize money rise which resulted in Russian punching bag Olga Puchkova earning a quick $28,000 from her 6-0, 6-0 loss to Maria Sharapova.

The rout took just 55 minutes, but the loser did not go without.

The number 107 was clocking up rewards at the rate of $500 per minute after around a 32 percent pay rise for early-round losers was put into effect at this edition. The move stemmed from a year ago when ATP men floated talk of discontent in the ranks, especially regarding the Grand Slam pay scale.

Puchkov’s pay rate hit $1,200 for each of the 23 points she earned against second seed Sharapova, according to the Herald Sun newspaper.

Puchkova was happy to take the money, saying embarrassment did not enter her frame. “When you play against a player who doesn’t miss and makes winners on you all match, I don’t think so. It is really hard to play a first match against a player like that,” she said.

©Daily tennis news wire

Topics: Atp, Australian Open, Maria Sharapova, Olga Puchkova, Prize Money, Sports, Tennis