Tour veteran Mischa Zverev has been docked almost all of his Australian Open prizemoney after being hit with a grand-slam record fine for his first round performance, where the German retired against South Korean Hyeon Chung.

The 30-year-old German was whacked with a $US45,000 ($A56,165) fine for an unprofessional first-round performance at the Australian Open, culminating in his early departure against the eventual quarter-finalist.

Fined: Mischa Zverev. Credit:Craig Golding

First round losers at Melbourne Park receive $60,000 after prizemoney was bumped up from $50,000 in 2017 and $38,500 two years ago.

Tennis officials have gone on the offensive to target controversial mid-match retirements in slams after the sport was beset by injured players choosing to take their spot in the draw before pulling out.