Australian Open 2015: Prize fund increase for tournament as Margaret Court Arena gets roof
Tuesday 7 October 2014 10:14, UK
Australian Open officials have announced a 10 per cent increase in their prize fund for the 2015 tournament.
The total prize money on offer rises to $36.3 million Australian dollars (£19.7m) with the two singles winners each receiving $3 million (£1.64m).
The announcement was made at the tournament's official launch on Tuesday which took place on the revamped 7,500-seat Margaret Court Arena - Melbourne Park's third-largest court - which now has a retractable roof which can open in less than five minutes.
We have an incredible new tennis facility. Just like the Australian living legend it is named after, this venue is world class and does Australian tennis proud.
Facility
"We have an incredible new tennis facility," Tennis Australia president Steve Healy said. "Just like the Australian living legend it is named after, this venue is world class and does Australian tennis proud."
The launch tied in with the sale of tickets but, for the first time, there will be no specific tickets available for the venue's second court, Hisense Arena. Instead ground-pass holders will be able to access that court which holds 10,000.
It was also announced that Rafael Nadal will host a special charity event on Margaret Court Arena in the lead up to the tournament.
That follows a similar, successful, event staged by Roger Federer earlier this year. Nadal's fund-raiser will take place on January 14 - five days before the main tournament gets under way.
