The quest for more money

Everybody likes more money. That includes reigning Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.

Azarenka said on Thursday she welcomes the recent decision to increase that event's prize money to $31.1 million for 2013 in response to the players' appeal for more compensation at Grand Slam tournaments.

"We just have to be really happy about it," the current world No 1 said after defeating German Sabine Lisicki in straight sets in the second round of the China Open on Tuesday in Beijing.

Azarenka stunned Maria Sharapova in the Melbourne final to earn $2,429,950.

The $4.15 million increase was the largest in the event's history, making it the richest tournament.

The French Open pays out $24,180,000, Wimbledon $23,800,000 and the US Open $22,063,000.

The men's champion, Novak Djokovic, is also a fan of the increase.

"It's a step forward, definitely a positive thing," the Serbian said. "They have clearly shown an understanding for players' demands and what the players had to say."

So, who's next?

Djokovic, who has claimed the Australian Open title three times and topped the money count with $12,619,803 last season, said "it's not over yet".

"Obviously, there are other Grand Slams that need to react and we are still in negotiations and we are still doing it behind closed doors," said the world No 2.

Azarenka agreed.

"We can make it better. I feel like the Grand Slams, the other ones, have to take a good example from what the Australian Open did," she said.

The 23-year-old's 2012 campaign, which includes four WTA titles and a runner-up finish at the US Open, is already in second place on the all-time single-season prize-money ranking with $6,068,920 so far.

With five more events remaining on the schedule, Azarenka could still surpass Serena Williams' 2009 take of $6,545,586.

"I think everybody in general wants more money, not only in tennis. It's fair enough," she said.

While the big names take the lion's share of the prize money, lower-ranked players, who often exit in early rounds, want more even distribution.

Players who lost in the first round of the Australian Open pocketed $21,600 this year, a significant amount of which went to coaching and other expenses.

Without enough exposure, they also struggle to find sponsorship money.

According to sport24.com, Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said officials were seeking further input from players about a fairer distribution of the prize money, and that increases would be weighted toward those who lose in the early rounds.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn