Most prize money for a Grand Slam tennis tournament

Total prize money for the 2015 Australian Open rose to a record AUS$40 million (£21.5 million; $32.6 million), with the men's and women's champions each walking away with AUS$3.1 million (£1.6 million; $2.5 million) for a fortnight's work at Melbourne Park. The richest purse in tennis history included AUS$34,500 (£18,567; $28,146) for first-round losers. In line with the other Grand Slams, the Australian Open has increased its prize money significantly in recent years, from AUS$26 million in 2012 to AUS$30 million in 2013 to AUS$33 million in 2014. In 2007, the Australian Open offered prize money of AUS$20 million, so the purse has doubled in eight years. The prize pot is expected to continue to grow exponentially - and not just in Australia. It has becoming something of a badge of honour for the organizers of each of the four Grand Slams to proudly announce record-breaking increases ahead of tournaments.

Statement from Tennis Australia: "This is not a decision we have taken without a lot of consideration. But we have an ongoing commitment to the players that we are determined to help improve the pay and conditions of life on the international tennis tour."

The 2015 Australian Open ran from 19 January to 1 February.

In 2014, world No.1 Novak Djokovic earned $14,250,527 (£9,173,650; AUS$17,467,900), a reflection of the amount of money that has been pumped into the game in recent years. As of 14 January 2015, Djokovic had amassed career earnings of $72,444,493 (£46,635,500; AUS$88,800,700) since turning professional in 2003.

"Happy Slam" is the nickname given to the Australian Open, and it's not hard to see why with all that prize money on offer!