The Australian Open has increased its total prize purse by 14% to a record AU$50m (€34.8m), with AU$3.7m (€2.6m) up for grabs for the winners of the singles tournaments, organisers said on Wednesday.
The prize money for the season's opening grand slam has more than tripled since 2001, and risen AU$10m (€7m) since 2014.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement that organisers were focused on increasing compensation for players in the early rounds and qualifying, with first-round losers set for an AU$50,000 (€35,000) windfall, up 30% from last year.
Similarly, second-round prize money has risen 29% to AU$80,000 (€55,000), with third and fourth-round losers to earn AU$130,000 (€90,000) and $220,000 (€153,000) respectively.
Total prize money for the quarter-finals, semi-finals, runners-up and winner is up 9%.
The Australian Open starts on 16 January in Melbourne.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: "We are committed to further improving the pay and conditions on the international tennis tour to ensure every professional tennis player is properly compensated.
"It was especially important for us to increase the compensation for players in the early rounds and qualifying and this year we have made some real gains.
"Our aim is to shift the break-even point for professional players, to ensure that tennis is a viable career option for the best male and female athletes in the world."
Meanwhile, 38th-ranked Juan Martin del Potro (above) is likely to miss the tournament for the third straight year.
The Argentinian capped a brilliant comeback season from career-threatening wrist problems by leading his country to a first Davis Cup title last month.
But that pushed back the start of Del Potro's preparations for the new season and, after so much time lost to injury during his career, he is reluctant to push his body too hard.
At a press conference in Argentina to promote two exhibition matches he will play against David Ferrer next week, the 28-year-old said: "I still do not know if I'm going to play Australia. It's risky to play.
"If I am intelligent I know that perhaps for playing two tournaments that are important then I have to waste more time and skip another time of the season.
"Tennis waited for me for two years and it can wait one more Australian Open."
