Australian Open announces record prize pool

AUSTRALIAN

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Open tournament organ-isers announced a record AUD 111.5 million (R1.2 billion) prize money pool yesterday, the largest in the tournament’s history.The prize money pool saw a 16 per cent increase on last year prize money of 96.5 million Australian dollars (+R1 billion).

The winners of the men’s and women’s singles at the season-opening Grand Slam will each receive AUD 2.79 million (R30.7 million), marking a 19 per cent tise from last year’s AUD 2.35 million (R25.9 million).

The runner-up will earn AUD 2.15 million (R23.7 million) and the semi-fi-nalists AUD 1.25 million (R13.8 million) each. Qualifying rounds are up by 16 per cent, and all singles and doubles players will receive a minimum of a 10 per cent increase.

Players exiting in the first round of the main draw will earn AUD 150 000 (R1.7 million).