Australian Open 2022 Prize Money: How Much Could Novak Djokovic Win If He Plays?

Aside from his quest to set the Grand Slam championship record and prove he’s still the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic has a few million reasons to play in the 2022 Australian Open. If Djokovic’s visa is canceled and he can’t compete in the tournament, he’ll forfeit the chance to claim a share of the $54 million in total prize money.

The winner of this year’s Australian Open gets $4.4 million Australian dollars in prize money, which translates to close to $3.3 million. The runner-up will receive half of what the first-place finisher gets.

Reaching the semifinals is worth one-quarter of the first-place prize money, coming in at north of $800,000. Djokovic is scheduled to face Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Australian Open, as long as he’s allowed to play and isn’t deported.

If Djokovic is indeed allowed to play in the tournament, he’ll be favored to finish in first place. The 34-year-old has won the Australian Open three straight years and nine times in his last 14 tries.

Djokovic won the first three Grand Slams of 2021 before coming up short in the finals of the U.S. Open. His 20 career Grand Slam titles put him tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the most in history.

For now, Djokovic is allowed to stay in Australia, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. That could change, however, before the tournament starts Monday. Djokovic gave false information on his immigration form, though he claims it was unintentional.

Djokovic earned $2 million for winning last year’s Australian Open. He earned just over $9 million in total prize money for the 2021 season.

Djokovic has earned nearly $155 million in prize money for singles and doubles combined over the course of his career on the ATP Tour.