Lloyd Harris laughing all the way to the bank with R2.4 million pay cheque

Let it never be said that the world’s top tennis players aren’t handsomely rewarded for their performances – especially at Grand Slam level!

PICTURES | MEET THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN WAGS: FROM ONLYFANS MODEL TO CONTORTIONIST

South Africa’s Lloyd Harris is smiling all the way to the bank after pocketing A$215 000 (R2.4 million) for winning just TWO matches at the ongoing Australian Open.

And that’s not counting his “pocket money” of R340 000 for losing in the first round of the men’s doubles.

Lloyd Harris’ third round loss was the furthest the 23-year-old has progressed in a Grand Slam to date having fared no better than Round 2 at the French Open and US Open.

He lost in the first round in his only appearance at Wimbledon in 2019.

Lloyd Harris, who entered the Australian Open ranked 91st in the rankings, is projected to move up to 81st when the next rankings are released.

Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson, South Africa’s only other entrant in the tournament, lost in the first round.

That defeat to Italian ninth-seed Matteo Berrettini was worth A$100 000 (R1.1 million) to the lanky 34-year-old South African.

In recent years there has been a move towards rewarding those players exiting in the early rounds of Grand Slams rather than those making the latter stages of the tournament.

By way of example, this year’s Australian Open has seen a 11.11%, 17.19% and 19.44% prize hike for players losing in the first three rounds, respectively, from last year’s tournament.

By contrast, the 2021 winner will receive “only” A$2 750 000 which is a full 33.25% less than last year’s champion took home.

The runner-up will pocket A$1 500 000 (27.36% less than 2020) and the beaten semi-finalists each A$850 000 (18.27% less).

In total, the Australian Open will fork out a staggering A$71.5 million (R803 million).

Where’s my racquet?!