Chief executive Paul McNamee (pictured) announced at the Open launch that the tournament purse would be lifted by 17.2 percent to $16.5million (US$8.2m, B8.99m).
He insisted the January 14-27 tournament could afford the loss of Ford, which ended its 16-year major sponsorship eight months ago but will remain as the official vehicle supplier.
"The Open has to continue to grow," McNamee said.
"We've had some great years, and the Australian dollar has fallen ten percent since we sat here 12 months ago, so the 17 percent increase is a real statement about the strength of the tournament, even in the face of sponsorship difficulties."
McNamee said if a major sponsor is not forthcoming in the next month, secondary Australian backers will be courted to help make up the shortfall.
"If they don't come through, we've got an alternative plan that we think is probably a little bit more in tune with the Australian corporate marketplace," he said.
Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard said the economic fallout from the terrorist attacks in the US had not helped, but said there should be no discernible impact on Open operations.
