The Australian Open is back! The most exciting time of the tennis calendar has arrived. Players from every corner of the globe have landed in Melbourne to kick off their Grand Slam journey. The race for rankings and glory is as fierce as ever, with players like Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka gunning to make history by clinching the cup. But apart from that, the tournament’s massive prize pool has added even more incentive to the competition. Spoiler alert– it’s a 12% increase compared to the last year.

As per the ATP Tour’s official website, the 2025 Australian Open has announced a total prize pool of AUD 96.5 million (USD 60.29 million), marking a 12% increase from last year.

Players at every stage of the tournament will see a rise in earnings. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each pocket AUD 3.5 million (USD 2.19 million) to lift the trophy. But with prize money accumulating through every round, their total earnings could reach a jaw-dropping AUD 8.2 million (USD 5.13 million).

Prize money for the Australian Open has grown significantly over this past decade. Back in 2016, the prize pool stood at AUD 44 million (USD 27.51 million). Fast forward ten years, and it’s seen a staggering 119% jump. Even in the last five editions, the prize pool has increased by more than 36%.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the prize money for the singles category (Men and Women) :

2025 Australian Open Qualifying Singles (Men & Women)

The prize money has raised the stakes of the competitions, but the players are also vying for some personal milestones that they can add to their illustrious careers.

Players poised for history at the Australian Open

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has a chance to etch her name among the sport’s legends. After winning the Brisbane International on Sunday, Sabalenka’s dominance on the court has been unmatched, and her confidence is at an all-time high as she takes on the challenge. She’s gunning for her third consecutive Australian Open title. If successful, she will become the first woman to achieve this feat since Martina Hingis, who dominated the tournament from 1997 to 1999.

On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic is pursuing his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. At 37, he’s the oldest player in the Open Era to compete for a Grand Slam title. If Djokovic wins, he’ll claim his 11th Australian Open trophy, extending his own record.

Meanwhile, World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is targeting a historic achievement of his own. The 21-year-old Spaniard is aiming to become the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam. If he manages to win, he will be breaking Rafael Nadal’s record of the youngest player to win a slam on all courts. Alcaraz has already won the US Open (2022), Wimbledon (2023, 2024), and the French Open (2024). The Australian Open is the final piece of the puzzle, and he’s determined to make history.

As the Australian Open 2025 unfolds on January 12th, fans can expect thrilling matches, dramatic upsets, and record-breaking moments. The stakes are higher than ever, and the world will be watching. Who will rise to the occasion and claim the Australian Open cup to etch their name in tennis history?