The Australian Open has increased prize money to an historic high of $62.5 million, up 14 percent on 2018.

Australian Open Tournament Director CEO Craig Tiley said the increase was just one way the organisers continued to invest in the playing group and create a sustainable career path for the next tier of players.

"We make no secret of our commitment to looking after the players as well as we possibly can, and ensuring they have a great experience at the Australian Open,” Tiley said.

“The players are the stars of the show. They bring in the crowds and fill the stadiums, they inspire the next generation to pick up a racquet, and the rest of us to always keep trying, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

“For all of these things and more, we invest significant resources into looking after the players, including state-of-the-art facilities, the world’s friendliest player services team and appropriate compensation.

“The majority of these increases will be directed towards the players in qualifying, early rounds and doubles. For example players losing first round in the qualifying event – which is pretty much Grand Slam entry level – will take home $15,000, double the amount previously awarded, and players losing in the first round of the main draw will earn $75,000 in prize money.

“We have a responsibility to improve the conditions for all the players, and ensure tennis offers a viable career path, and this means increasing prize money as well as easing the costs associated with playing the Australian Open,” Tiley continued.

Australian Open 2019 prize money fast facts:

· First round doubles teams will earn $21,000 up 13.51 percent

· First round qualifiers earn double 2018 with $15,000

· First round main draw singles $75,000 up 25 percent on 2018

· $105,000 for reaching the second round, up from $90,000 in 2018

· Australian Open 2019 singles champions will take home $4.1 million

· In 2019, the total Australian Open prize purse is $62,500,000, up 14 percent on AO 2018

· Australian Open prize money has increased by more than 351 percent or $48.6m in the 20 years since 2001, when it was $13.9m

· There has been a $22.5m increase since 2015 (five years)

· Prize money has increased 159 percent since 2011 (10 years).

AUSTRALIAN OPEN PRIZE MONEY SINGLES – men's and women's – per player – 128 draw Winner $ 4,100,000 Runner-up $ 2,050,000 Semifinal $ 920,000 Quarterfinal $ 460,000 Round 4 $ 260,000 Round 3 $ 155,000 Round 2 $ 105,000 Round 1 $ 75,000 DOUBLES – men's and women's – per team – 64 draw Winner $ 750,000 Runner-up $ 375,000 Semifinal $ 190,000 Quarterfinal $ 100,000 Round 3 $ 55,000 Round 2 $ 32,500 Round 1 $ 21,000 QUALIFYING SINGLES – men’s and women’s – per player – 128 draw Round 3 $ 40,000 Round 2 $ 25,000 Round 1 $ 15,000 MIXED DOUBLES – per team – 32 draw Winner $ 185,000 Runner-up $ 95,000 Semifinal $ 47,500 Quarterfinal $ 23,000 Round 2 $ 11,500 Round 1 $ 5,950

YEAR AUSTRALIAN OPEN TOTAL PRIZE MONEY 2001 $ 13,857,625 2002 $ 16,500,000 2003 $ 18,180,000 2004 $ 19,000,000 2005 $ 19,100,000 2006 $ 19,300,000 2007 $ 20,000,000 2008 $ 20,600,000 2009 $ 23,140,000 2010 $ 24,094,000 2011 $ 25,005,635 2012 $ 26,000,000 2013 $ 30,000,000 2014 $ 33,000,000 2015 $ 40,000,000 2016 $ 44,000,000 2017 $ 50,000,000 2018 $ 55,000,000 2019 $ 62,500,000

*All prize money amounts are in Australian dollars.