Australian Open 2022: Purse, prize money, complete breakdown 

The Australian Open will begin on 17 January 2022. This year the organizers have announced a 4.5% increase in the total prize money for the Grand Slam.

As a result, the total prize money has shot up to $54.2 million or $75 million (AUD), from $51.6 million last year.

Known as the 'Happy Slam', the Australian Open ranks second in terms of total prize money. Only the US Open has a larger prize pool, which stood at $57.5 million (USD) in 2021.

Novak Djokovic with the Australian Open 2021 title

At the Australian Open last year, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka received paychecks of $2 million , while runners-up Daniil Medvedev and Jennifer Brady accumulated a total of $1.1 million each. However, the players who will conquer Melbourne Park this year will get a total of $3.2 million, with the runners-up receiving $1.6 million, amounting to an increase of 60% and 6% respectively.

Naomi Osaka with the Australian Open 2021 title

The winners' paycheck at the 2022 Australian Open is more than the amount that Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu received after winning the 2021 US Open title, i.e $2.5 million.

Similarly, the prize money of the semifinalists and quarterfinalists have also been increased by the Australian Open management. While a semifinalist and quarterfinalist received $614,160 and $379,330 respectively in 2021, they will be paid $794,790 and $433,590 next year -- a hike of 29.41% and 12.5% respectively.

The Australian Open management reduces prize money for qualifiers and early exiters

Despite raising the total prize pool, the Australian Open management has reduced the amount will be given to qualifiers and players that suffer early exits.

Australian Open 2021 preview in Melbourne

While the players who reached the third qualifying round made $37,940 in 2021, they will be getting $36,120 next year in Melbourne. Similarly, those reaching the first, second, third, and fourth rounds received a paycheck of $72,240, $108,350, $195,290, $231,130 in 2021 but if they manage to advance to the same stage, they will now get $65,000, $101,120, $130,000, and $216,670 respectively, a reduction between 10-16.2%.

Elise Mertens and Aryna Sabalenka with the Australian Open 2021 doubles title

Doubles players will receive paychecks as follows at the 2022 Australian Open

Winners: $577,790

Runners-up: $288,890

Semifinalists: $144,450

Quarterfinalists: $79,450

Round-3: $44,780

Round-2: $28,890

Round-1: $18,050