Australian Open 2013 Prize Money reaches $30 Million

The 2013 Australian Open will boast of a record AUD$30 million prize money that would benefit all of the participants in this prestigious Grand Slam event which takes place on January. Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood revealed this pleasant news at the Australian Open 2013 launch at Melbourne Park on Tuesday. Wood said that the tournament officials would set up a dialogue with the players pertaining to a more equitable distribution of the cash prize money to make sure that the lower ranked players are still financially viable during the event.

“We are proud to announce this major increase in prize money. We have led the world in prize money for these incredible athletes and we want to ensure that the Australian Open continues to make a major contribution to the financial wellbeing of professional tennis players,” Wood was quoted as saying.

ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett welcomed this positive development.

“We welcome the increase in prize money for the 2013 Australian Open and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Tennis Australia to recognise the role of the players in the success of the tournament. We also look forward with confidence to continuing these successful discussions with a view to a longer-term understanding,” he said.

Here are the other initiatives announced for the upcoming Grand Slam event:

* Retired tennis superstar Andre Agassi to play in a special feature match in the Men’s Legends Event
Hawk-Eye to be introduced on Show Courts 2 and 3
* New practice and recovery facilities for players, including eight new clay courts in the new National Tennis Centre
Expanded Australian Open Trophy Tour throughout Australia, China and Japan
* The inaugural Asia-Pacific Australian Open Wildcard Play-off to be held in China
* The new Edwin Flack footbridge connecting the MCG with Melbourne Park and AAMI Park
* An expanded Women’s Legends event, including former AO champs Amelie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport along with Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova
* A special Legends Lunch on the final Saturday to honour six-time Australian Open winner Roy Emerson

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley added that he’s expecting Australian Open 2012 finalist Rafael Nadal to be back in action to compete at the first Major tournament of 2013. Nadal is currently taking a break from the tour to rehabilitate his knee injury.

“Expect Rafa to be one of many great stories in January, including a formidable title defence from our brilliant reigning men’s champion, Novak Djokovic, and some major challenges from the great Roger Federer, US Open 2012 champion Andy Murray and any one of a group of Ferrer, Del Potro, Berdych and Tsonga,” Tiley said.