Big pay rises are in store for players at January’s Australian Open with organisers Tuesday announcing a 13.6 percent boost in the total purse to Aus$71 million (US$49.1 million).
The winners of the men’s and women’s titles at the first Grand Slam of the year will both take home Aus$4.12 million, only a small increase from a year ago.
But players beaten in earlier rounds do much better.
Anyone crashing out in round one will receive Aus$90 000, up 20 percent, while second round players get a 21.9 percent hike to Aus$128 000.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said every round would enjoy double digit percentage increases, bar the finalists.
