I'm not sure I can blame the Covid, but the Australia Open 2021 men's draw has been drastically cut this year.

Australia Open 2021: Single champion to win $ 2,750,000 

The men's singles champion's wallet is down 33% to $ 2,750,000 from $ 4,120,000 this year.
The runner-up will come out next year with a cash prize check of $ 1,500,000, down 27% from 2,065,000 in 2020.
Semi-finalists in Melbourne Park will receive a cash prize of $ 850,000, which is 18% less than the $ 1,040,000 guaranteed amount in this year's semifinals of Australia Open 2021.
However, the prize money to reach the Australia Open 2021 quarter-finals remains the same this year at $ 525K.

Australia Open 2021: Increase Payments to Reach Rounds 16, 32 and 64

While the end of business payouts for this year's first Grand Slam tournament decreased, prize money to reach rounds 16, 32, and 64 increased by 7, 19%, and 17%, respectively.
While those who qualify for the Round of 16 will receive $ 320,000 apiece, up from $ 300,000 this year, those who do not make it past the Round of 32 will receive $ 215,000 each, which is a marginal increase. $ 180,000 in 2020.
Those who drop in the first round will also see an 11% salary increase, from $ 90K this year to $ 100,000.

Australia Open 2021: Double Champions to take home $ 600,000

The total of doubles business finale prizes also saw a decline, with tournament winners receiving $ 600,000, 21% less than $ 760,000 this year of Australia Open 2021.
The second-place pair will get $ 340,000, down slightly from $ 380,000 in 2020.
However, the prizes for the semi-finalists and quarter-finals are unchanged from this year, at $ 200,000 and $ 110,000, respectively.
As with the men's singles draw, here too, the payouts of those who hit rounds 16, 32, and 64 saw a slight increase.
Those who qualify for the fourth round will receive $ 65,000, up from 62,000 this year, while those who drop into the role of 32 will receive $ 45,000, a marginal increase from $ 38,000 this year.

Australia Open 2021: The rating bag has been marginally raised from 2020

Those who lose in the first round will also win higher bonuses of $ 30,000, up 20% on the $ 25,000 this year.
The championship winner in the mixed doubles category will also receive a $ 150,000 cut from $ 190,000 this year. The runner-up will receive $ 85,000, down 15% from $ 100,000 this year of Australia Open 2021.
However, the rating portfolio has increased marginally as of this year of Australia Open 2021.

Also Read: Australian Open 2021 delayed, will be playing in Melbourne from February 8 to 21