Australian Open 2017: Prize money increased to $50 million

The Australian Open has increased its prize purse to $50 million, a 14-percent increase from the previous. The tournament will be held in Melbourne on January.

Craig Tiley, tournament manager, said the organisers wanted to ensure that players will be compensated well. He revealed that they want to improve the pay and conditions on the international tennis tour to ensure every professional tennis player is properly compensated. “It was especially important for us to increase the compensation for players in the early rounds and qualifying, and this year we have made some real gains.”

It has been reported that in 2017, the prize money for all three qualifying rounds will be increased to 39 percent. The players that will lose in the final round will receive $25,000.

“Our aim is to shift the break-even point for professional players, to ensure that tennis is a viable career option for the best male and female athletes in the world. We are also committed to equal prize money, equal exposure and equal opportunity for men and women,” Tiley expressed.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams will also be playing in the said tournament. However, Petra Kvitova will not be playing after sustaining injuries on her left hand during a robbery in her apartment on Dec.13. On the other hand, Victoria Azarenka will also miss the competition since she just gave birth this month. Juan Martin del Potro is not yet sure if he will be present after several years of injury problems.

In January 2016, there were alleged cases of tennis match-fixing, which showed no evidence of committed match-fixing in previous investigations. To erase doubts, however, tennis officials launched another investigation.

"I don't think our brand was damaged, but I certainly think there was some damage to the sport. I'm confident that the panel will find that there is no entrenched corruption in the sport. But I am sure they'll find certain things than can be done better and we will implement those and fund them to the full extent if necessary to protect the sport,” Tennis Australia president Steve Healy told CNN.