MELBOURNE (AFP) - Australian Open organisers Tuesday boosted prize money to a record Aus$30 million (US$31.1 million) as they responded to threats of a boycott from players agitating for a greater share of revenue.
Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said the Aus$4 million hike for the 2013 event was the single biggest increase in the history of the opening Grand Slam of the season. "We are proud to announce this major increase in prize money," he said of a rise that makes it the sport's richest-ever tournament.
"We have led the world in prize money for these incredible athletes and we want to ensure that the Australian Open continues to make a major contribution to the financial wellbeing of professional tennis players." It follows reports in August that players on the ATP Tour, which runs the men's game, were considering a boycott of January's tournament to try to gain a higher percentage of Grand Slam event revenues for themselves.
At issue is the pay of lower-ranked players, who often exit in the first round after making the long journey Down Under. While this year they pocketed Aus$20,800 ($21,600 US) for a first-round defeat at the Australian Open, some players struggle to make ends meet during the year as they pay for much of their own expenses and travel. Without a high profile, they are also unable to score lucrative sponsorship deals that could help sustain their careers.