If you thought being a tennis player was worth it for the massive paydays, then you might want to reconsider. This year’s Australian Open singles winners will receive a cheque for $2.875M however, nearly half of that is immediately given back to the ATO according to gold medalist Leisel Jones.
Jones, speaking on The Rush Hour with Leisel, Liam and Dobbo, described the process for what happens to athletes once they’re handed their winnings.
“As soon as they come past, (to) pick up their cheque, we will rip it in half, not literally, and the tax man, the Australian government, takes forty-nine percent of it”
LISTEN HERE