Next year’s Australian Open men's and women's singles champions will each pocket 2.3 million dollars.
According to The Age, the total prize money pool for the January 16-29 tournament has also been increased, to 26 million dollars, said to be the most ever at a grand slam.
According to the organisers, among other changes, there will be a new women's legends event, to be headlined by Swiss former world No.1 and three-time Open women's singles champion Martina Hingis.
Hawk-Eye will be introduced on Margaret Court Arena, allowing for challenges to line calls on all three main showcase courts, with the technology already having already been in use on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said it was expected that women's defending champion Kim Clijsters, who is returning from injury, and five-time winner Serena Williams, who missed this year's event through injury, would both play.
Tiley said it would add to the anticipation surrounding the tournament, that Australia's Sam Stosur will be among the favourites after her breakthrough US Open title, when she beat Williams in the final.
There has not been an Australian men's or women's singles champion at their home grand slam since Chris O'Neal in 1978.
