Host reveals Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have agreed to cut prices for 2021 Australian Open champions

The first Grand Slam of the year, the 2021 Australian Open, started three weeks late but came with many promises. First, it is surely the safest event in the midst of the pandemic, thanks to the Australian government. Second, it brings a smile to unranked players with the generous support of Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.

OA 2021 will see a 33% pay cut for singles champions. The winners of the coveted Major will each receive $ 2.11 million. This is the lowest price since 2014, but it’s all dedicated to a worthy cause.

The Tennis Fraternity has mobilized to support its stakeholders

AO 2021 players will compete for a total prize of $ 54.9 million (same as last year). The reduction in the pay of the singles champions will go a long way in covering the pay gap for the first losers.

Thus, the losers of the first round will receive 100,000 AUD (11% year-to-date increase), the losers of the second round will receive 150,000 AUD (17% more), while the losers of the third round will receive 215,000 AUD ( 19% more) and the losers of the fourth round will get to make 320,000 AUD (6.7% from last year).

In a maintenance, Tennis Australia CEO and AO Tournament Director Mr. Craig Tiley proudly revealed, “We have drastically reduced the prize winners’ cash checks, but players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have all agreed to distribute the cash prizes more evenly, giving promising players an opportunity to earn more as it’s been a year. hard. . We think this is an excellent initiative, and I had no hesitation.

What did it mean for Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams to make this sacrifice?

It made perfect sense for them to accept this generous gesture. First, the Serbian star does $ 30 million of his sponsorship contracts, while the American legend makes $ 25 million one year according to Forbes.

While the top-ranked players have also had to take a hit on annual earnings due to the pandemic, the lower-ranked players don’t have the luxury of endorsing the brand in their name.

Last year, the pandemic brought all forms of tennis to an unforeseen end, and Top 50 and Top 100 players became the hardest hit. Their finances were in trouble because their only source of income was dead. In a breeze of a decision, Tennis Australia has made this commendable development in that direction.

Plus, while Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams easily won their first round clashes, who knows if an unranked player actually lifts the trophy and brings home the biggest piece of cake. Do you think this upheaval can happen? Help us know in the comments.

Read also– Novak Djokovic explains why he didn’t see Serena Williams at the 2021 Australian Open bubble