Australian Open to have the highest prize money ever

Australian Open 2012 will witness the highest prize money ever paid out to the players in history of tennis. It will be a total of A$26 million (US$25 million) and both men’s and women’s champions will be awarded a record A$2.3 million (US$ 2.18 million) each. In comparison, this year’s total payout was A$25 million and A$2.2 million for the winners.

Next year’s Australian Open starting 16th January, will mark the 100th men’s singles championship at this spectacular event. There had been 59 different winners up to date.

Serbian Djokovic will attempt to defend his title after beating Britain’s Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 in the 2011 final. Djokovic has been on fire this season and he will want to show the world that he can repeat this year’s breathtaking performance in 2012 as well. Nadal, Federer and this year’s finalist Murray will also want to conquer Australia.

The organisers of the first Grand Slam of the year will hope to attract crowd from all over the world. Especially China has witnessed a big tennis boom in the last year or so, after Li Na’s victory at Roland Garros 2011 and her rise to the top of the tennis world. She also is the 2011 Australian Open runner-up, having lost to Kim Clisters in the final. But many Australians will be hoping for Sam Stosur to bring her form from this year’s US Open, where she lifted the trophy.

Tags Andy Murray Australian Open Grand Slam Kim Clisters Li Na Novak Djokovic prize money Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Sam Stosur tennis news