50% rise in winners’ purse in last five years
For 2017, Australian Open is giving A$50 million, as prize money, the highest ever. The winner’s cheque for both men and women has seen a 50 per cent jump in the last five years.
Australian Open 2012
Purse: US$19 mn
Men’s & Women’s Singles winner: US$1.6 mn
Runners up: US$ 805,480.5
Men’s & Women’s Doubles winner: US$ 332,809.9
Runners up: US$ 166,437.9
The prize money for the year’s first Grand Slam has been rising steadily over the last decade. Rising purse draws more players, which in turn drives more and more sponsors as well.
Australian Open 2013
Purse: US$22 mn
Men’s & Women’s Singles winner: US$ 1.7 mn
Runners up: US$ 805,480.5
Men’s & Women’s Doubles winner: US$ 347,937.5
Runners up: US$ 174,017.44
The prize money for the year’s first Grand Slam has been rising steadily over the last decade. Rising purse draws more players, which in turn drives more and more sponsors as well.
Australian Open 2014
Purse:US$24.3 mn
Men’s & Women’s Singles winner: US$ 1.9 mn
Runners up: US$ 970,728
Men’s & Women’s Doubles winner: US$ 381,007
Runners up: US$ 190,528
Playing her third Australian Open final, Li Na was the favourite to win. She managed to live up to the expectation, becoming the first Asian to win the title, her second Grand Slam title.
Australian Open 2015
Purse: US$29.4 mn
Men’s & Women’s Singles winner: US$ 2.2 mn
Runners up: US$ 1.1 mn
Men’s & Women’s Doubles winner: US$ 421,130
Runners up: US$ 208,762.5
Serena William returned in 2015 to power her way to the final and beat Maria Sharapova in straight sets to win her sixth Australian Open and 19th Grand Slam title. She also retained her number one ranking.
Australian Open 2016
Purse: US$32.4 mn
Men’s & Women’s Singles winner: US$ 2.4 mn
Runners up: US$ 1.2 mn
Men’s & Women’s Doubles winner: US$ 421,130
Runners up: US$ 208,762.5
Angelique Kerber denied Serena Williams her seventh title, beating her in three sets. By now, the winner’s purse had jumped by nearly 50 per cent over the last five years.
