The Australian Open has been different in 2021 and that includes the prize money. While the overall prize pool has been increased by approximately $ 7 million, the amount Down Under winners will get has been reduced.
In 2021, the total purse will be $ 61.95 million and the men’s and women’s individual champion will take home $ 2.13 million. Last year’s winners received $ 3.12 million.
It’s still a useful payday, but a meaningful haircut nonetheless.
Tournament director Craig Tiley says the more even distribution was to help offset the significant costs incurred by players arriving in Australia amid a pandemic.
“We have significantly reduced the prize money checks for winners, but players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams agreed to spread the prize money more evenly, giving promising players the opportunity to win more because it has been a difficult year, ” Tiley told the Hindu newspaper.
“We think it is a great initiative and I have not had any rejection.”
What is the Australian Open portfolio for 2021?
The 2021 Australian Open bag is $ 61.95 million for men’s and women’s tournaments. That’s an increase of $ 6,977,070 over last year’s bag.
How much money does the winner receive?
Male and female individual champions will win approximately $ 2.13 million every. Last year’s winners, Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin, earned around $ 3.12 million.
The male and female doubles champions earn $ 463,740, while the mixed doubles champions earn $ 115,935.
Prize money breakdown for the 2021 Australian Open
The $ 2.13 million that the winners took home is the lowest total at the Australian Open since 2014.
Male and female singles
| Place | Prize money |
| Winner | $ 2.13 million |
| Runner-up | $ 1.16 million |
| Semifinalists | $ 656,854.50 |
| Quarter-finalists | $ 405,704.25 |
| Round 4 | $ 247,286.40 |
| Round 3 | $ 166,145.55 |
| Round 2 | $ 115,935 |
| Round 1 | $ 77,290 |
| Qualifying round 3 | $ 40,577.25 |
| Qualifying round 2 | $ 27,051.50 |
| Qualifying round 1 | $ 19,322.50 |
Men’s and women’s doubles
The prize money for doubles winners has also taken a hit this year, although once again there is an increase in pay for those who come out in the early rounds.
| Place | Prize money |
| Winners | $ 463,740 |
| Runners-up | $ 262,786 |
| Semifinalists | $ 115,458 |
| Quarter-finalists | $ 85,019 |
| Round 3 | $ 50,238.50 |
| Round 2 | $ 34,780.50 |
| Round 1 | $ 23,187 |
Mixed doubles
In 2020, the winning pair took home around $ 146,000, while the runner-up and semi-finalists saw their payouts drop in 2021 as well. Those from the first round to the quarterfinals remained stagnant year after year.
| Place | Prize currencyY |
| Winners | $ 115,935 |
| Runners-up | $ 65,696.50 |
| Semifinalists | $ 34,780.50 |
| Quarter-finalists | $ 18,549.60 |
| Round 2 | $ 9,274.80 |
| Round 1 $ 4,830.62 |
The Australian Open is now in first place among the Grand Slams in terms of total prize pool, although changes in 2021 have caused the winners’ money to drop to third place.
This is how each major tournament is divided.
All figures in USD.
French Open cash prizes
Total: $ 45.69 million
Winners: $ 1.9 million
Runners-up: $ 967.993,49
Semifinalist: $ 514,972.54
Quarter-finalist: $ 343,056.89
First round: $ 72793,11
Wimbledon prize money
The championships were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, but here are the 2019 figures.
Total: $ 51.88 million
Winners: $ 3.2 million
Runners-up: $ 1.6 million
Semifinalist: $ 813,114.53
Quarter-finalist: $ 405,782.87
First round: $ 61,951.58
US Open cash prizes
Total: $ 53.4 million
Winners: $ 3 million
Runners-up: $ 1.5 million
Semifinalists: $ 800,000
Quarter-finalists: $ 425,000
First round: $ 61,000
Jackie Spiegel contributed to this article.
www.sportingnews.com
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.