The prize money for the forthcoming Australian Open tennis competition, which starts on January 14 at Melbourne Park, has been increased by 10 million Australian dollars (USD 6.8 million), according to tournament officials.
The Grand Slam competition will now have a total prize money of 86.5 Australian dollars (USD58.4 million), according to a statement released by tournament director Craig Tiley on Friday.
Among the four Grand Slam competitions, the U.S. Open holds the record for most total prize money and player pay, having announced in August that it will increase to USD 65 million.
“With the significant increases in qualifying and the early rounds of singles and doubles at the Australian Open, we’ve increased prize money for every round,” Tiley stated.
First-round qualifiers in Melbourne will get a 20% boost to 31,250 Australian dollars, or roughly USD 21,000. The winners of the men’s and women’s singles competitions will get $3.15 million (about $2.15 million) in Australian dollars.
The defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, will compete in the women’s final on January 27. The men’s final, which will include defending champion Novak Djokovic, is slated for January 28.