Novak Djokovic set for massive $3m payday after Australian Open victory

Novak Djokovic is set to extend his lead as the highest earner in the history of the sport after his win at the Australian Open.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the Men's Singles Final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day 14 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic is already the highest earning player in the history of tennis by prize money, and his lead at the top of the rich list is set to be extended after his record tenth win at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic has earned a staggering $164,786,653 in prize money over the course of his career, which includes 93 singles titles and 22 majors.

Djokovic’s net worth has been estimated at about a whopping AU$310 million, and his triumph in the first Grand Slam of 2023 will add almost another $3 million to that figure, with the 2023 edition of the tournament featuring a record prize pool.

Djokovic has extensive philanthropic interests, starting his own foundation in 2007 to promote early childhood education for children from disadvantaged communities, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2015.

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To be exact, Djokovic takes home $2.975 million after beating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Sunday night, $100,000 more than previous champion Rafael Nadal took home.

A record prize pool of $AUD76.5 million was on offer this year, up 3.4 per cent on 2022.

It is a $58 million total increase on what was offered to players twenty years ago.

Novak Djokovic is set to rake in a record amount after his win in Melbourne. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

There is more money across the entire Australian tennis season, with new tour events in Adelaide and Canberra, as well the United Cup in Perth, worth $22.5 million.

“It is critical to the continued success of the Australian tennis summer that we provide strong and relevant playing opportunities and ensure that the best players in the world are compensated appropriately,” said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley.

Not everyone gets the superstar treatment in Melbourne though, with the money only one part of the reason Djokovic loves returning to Australia.

In the absence of box-office names in this year’s tournament, the Serb was given seven straight night matches at Rod Laver Arena, which he said were by far his favourite conditions in the world.

Novak Djokovic loves playing at Melbourne Park. (Photo by Paul CROCK / AFP)

Tennis journalist David Law told the Tennis Podcast he thought “they (Australian Open officials) have gone out of their way to make (Djokovic) feel comfortable.”

At the 2019 US Open, Djokovic announced the breakaway Professional Tennis Players’ Association, targeting reforms such as increased prize money and transparency around revenue sharing.

Djokovic previously served as president of the ATP players’ council, representing the players among the governing body of men’s tennis.