Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic takes home almost $1 Million less than last year’s prize money, early-round losers bank more than before


Australian Open 2021: Novak Djokovic takes home almost $1 Million less than last year’s prize money, early-round losers bank more than before
WhatsApp Image 2021 02 21 at 18.26.17
Novak Djokovic

World no.1, Novak Djokovic won his record 9th Australian Open trophy by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final 7-5,6-2,6-2. Along with winning his 18th major, Djokovic took home $2.13 million.

Interestingly, he won $3.12 million when he won the Australian Open 2020, 33.25% more than this year. The approximate sum of $1 million that Novak Djokovic would have otherwise received has instead been distributed amongst the players who lost early in the qualifying and main draws.

The Serb was a major influence in this decision. He has been campaigning for a while to reduce the prize money for the later stages of the event and increase the payout for early-round losers.

Before the tournament, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley acknowledged Djokovic’s thoughts.

Tiley said: “We have significantly reduced the winners’ prize money, but players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams agreed with spreading the prize money more evenly, providing the up-and-coming players an opportunity to earn more because it has been a difficult year. We think it’s a great initiative and I have had zero pushback.”

Some people on social media are speculating that Djokovic himself donated $1 million to the early-round losers, which is false. The Serb was involved in initiating this thought which Tennis Australia approved before the tournament began.

The early-round losers seek upto 20% hike in their prize money

WhatsApp Image 2021 02 22 at 09.12.00 1
Novak Djokovic

The players knocked-out before the quarter-final stage have all seen a rise in their prize-money. While for those reaching the last 4 see a considerable decline in the prize pool.

In 2020, the players who lost in the first round of qualifying took home $15,700 (approximately). But this year, they have received $19,438, the highest %change(approx. 25%) overall.

Prize Money $ AUDPrize Money $ USDPrize Money £ GBP% Change vs 2020
Winner$2,750,000$2,138,125$1,396,425-33.25%
Runner-up$1,500,000$1,166,250$761,686-27.36%
Semifinal$850,000$660,875$431,622-18.27%
Quarterfinal$525,000$408,188$266,5900.00%
Round 4$320,000$248,800$162,4936.67%
Round 3$215,000$167,163$109,17519.44%
Round 2$150,000$116,625$76,16917.19%
Round 1$100,000$77,750$50,77911.11%
Q3$52,500$40,819$26,6595.00%
Q2$35,000$27,213$17,7737.69%
Q1$25,000$19,438$12,69525.00%

Also read: “Brought out some morons,” Journalists call out ‘booing’ at vaccine comment during Australian Open 2021 final