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1h ago

Tennis Australia Defends Record AU$111.5 Million Australian Open Purse as Players Seek Bigger Share

The event now ranks second for Grand Slam prize money, with increases focused on early rounds and qualifiers to broaden support.

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 19, 2026 Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
Tennis - Australian Open - Men's Singles Final - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 29, 2023 Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia is pictured in the stands during the final match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Loren Elliott
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Overview

  • The 2026 Australian Open purse is AU$111.5 million, a 16% rise on last year and the second-highest in Grand Slam history behind the 2025 US Open.
  • Singles champions will receive AU$4.15 million, runners-up AU$2.15 million, and first-round singles players AU$150,000, with doubles champions earning AU$900,000 per team.
  • Qualifying payouts have been lifted, including AU$83,500 for the final round, AU$57,000 for the second, and AU$40,500 for the first.
  • CEO Craig Tiley says the prize boost is part of a AU$135 million Summer of Tennis investment aimed at player welfare and sustaining professional careers.
  • Tennis Australia says no players have complained directly, as reports describe top-10 agents discussing a bigger revenue share and Coco Gauff signaling increased pressure if demands are unmet.