(CNN) After being rocked by allegations of match-fixing earlier this year, the Australian Open will have a record $36 million prize pot as it tries to combat corruption at the lower rungs of the sport.

Although the men's and women's singles champions can look forward to a cool A$3.7 million ($2.7 million) paycheck, or 9% more than last year, the biggest gains were reserved for the sport's lower-ranked players.

Those competing in the qualifying event at the 2017 Australian Open in January will get a pay increase of 39%, while reaching the first three rounds of the main singles draw will be rewarded with a rise of as much as 30%.

"We are committed to further improving the pay and conditions on the international tennis tour to ensure every professional tennis player is properly compensated," tournament director and chief executive Craig Tiley said in an emailed statement.

The Australian Open now has the second-highest prize purse in tennis behind the US Open, which in 2016 paid out $46.3 million.

Low pay

Although top players such as defending Australian Open champions Angelique Kerber and Novak Djokovic are being paid millions of dollars in prize money and endorsements, tennis is a notoriously hard sport for those battling for ranking points and prize money on the lower-tier circuits.

Less than half of almost 14,000 professional tennis players make no prize money at all while the annual average cost of playing on the men's and women's circuits is around $40,000, according to the International Tennis Federation.

Angelique Kerber at Melbourne Park in January.

With such high costs and low pay, it is thought lower-ranked players are more vulnerable to match-fixing such as throwing a match or losing a set.

Match-fixing allegations

The Australian Open, which starts on January 16 at Melbourne Park, came under scrutiny in January of this year after a joint investigation by Buzzfeed and the BBC published on the first day of the tournament alleged match-fixing was a widespread problem in tennis and had been ignored by officials.

Although the investigation did not show any actual evidence of match fixing and tennis authorities strongly rejected any suggestion that evidence of match fixing was suppressed or not thoroughly investigated by the Tennis Integrity Unit, the sport's four governing bodies announced the creation of an independent three-man review panel 10 days later.

They said at the time the investigation would take at least one year.

"I don't think our brand was damaged, but I certainly think there was some damage to the sport," Steve Healy, president of Tennis Australia, told CNN by phone from Sydney.

"I'm confident that the panel will find that there is no entrenched corruption in the sport," said Healy.

"But I am sure they'll find certain things than can be done better and we will implement those and fund them to the full extent if necessary to protect the sport."

Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Angelique Kerber of Germany kisses the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Australian Open women's singles title in a stunning upset of Serena Williams in Melbourne. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final That winning feeling: Kerber celebrates winning an epic three set final against Williams. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Kerber is sportingly congratulated by Williams after closing out victory in the third set. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Williams tries her best to pump herself up as a 22nd grand slam title slips away from her grasp. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Kerber at full stretch in the thrilling women's singles final against top seed Williams. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Williams is wrong footed on the baseline by a return from Germany's Kerber. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Kerber played the match of her life to bring home a first grand slam title. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Kerber and Williams pose before the start of the final, the first grand slam final for eventual winner Kerber. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Kerber stuns Serena in final Jamie at the double – Jamie Murray of Britain (right) and Bruno Soares of Brazil lift the men's doubles trophy after beating Daniel Nestor of Canada and Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic in the final. Hide Caption 9 of 9

Integrity measures

Earlier this week, Healy announced a host of measures aimed at strengthening the integrity of the season's first grand slam event, including the creation of a National Integrity Unit headed up by former law enforcement officer and long-time sports management and policy expert Ann West.

The unit also hired two full-time experienced investigators from law enforcement backgrounds, an information and intelligence officer and a safety and risk manager.

Australian Open prize money: Men's and women's main draw singles: - Winner $2.7 million (+9%) - Runner-up $1,4 million (+9%) - Semifinals $596,222 (+9%) - Quarterfinals $298,111(+9%) - Round 4 $159,962 (+14%) - Round 3 $94,523(+20%) - Round 2 $58,168 (+19%) - Round 1 $36,355 (+30%) Men's and women's qualifying singles: -Round 3 $18,177(+39%) -Round 2 $9,088 (+39%) -Round 1 $4,544(+39%) (Source: Australian Open. All prize money in US dollars)

Other measures include an enhanced education and awareness program for all players, coaches, clubs, volunteers, officials, staff and parents and increased security at all Tennis Australia events.

New agreements with licensed Australian bookmakers are aimed at making sure they report all suspicious betting alerts.

Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Novak Djokovic's love affair with the Australian Open continued on Sunday. Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Before kissing the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for a record sixth time in the Open Era, the world No. 1 also paid his respects to the court where he has been so dominant in recent years. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history The Serbian hugged his coach Boris Becker after beating Andy Murray to secure the 11th grand slam title of his career. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Becker had few worries Sunday as Djokovic beat Murray in straight sets. They have now won five grand slam titles together since Becker joined forces with Djokovic in 2014. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history A familiar sight for Murray -- the world No. 2 has now lost all five finals he has played in Melbourne. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history The British player beat Djokovic in the 2012 U.S. Open final and the 2013 Wimbledon title match, but has struggled to overcome his friend at grand slams since then. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Djokovic continued his relentless performances of late as he raced to a 2-0 in the best-of-five-set final. Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history Murray forced a tiebreaker in the third set, but Djokovic stormed back to clinch a 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3) success -- ending the match with an ace. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Serbia's world No. 1 makes Melbourne history He matched the six Australian Open titles won by Roy Emerson in the 1960s, when the tournament was an amateur event. Hide Caption 9 of 9

"Viable career option"

Making sure more of the sport's wealth is distributed to those who need it the most forms an important part of the new integrity measures.

"It was especially important for us to increase the compensation for players in the early rounds and qualifying, and this year we have made some real gains," Tiley said.

"We are constantly reviewing ways to improve the life of every player on tour, not just the top 100. This includes increasing prize money as well as removing as many costs as possible associated with playing our events.

"Our aim is to shift the break-even point for professional players, to ensure that tennis is a viable career option for the best male and female athletes in the world. We are also committed to equal prize money, equal exposure and equal opportunity for men and women," he said.