Ex-tennis stars raking in 'the moolah' as commentators during Oz Open

The ongoing Australian Open has reportedly become a 'golden' opportunity for past champions to score in the commentary box, with big stars reportedly earning upto 150,000 dollars, plus incentives, for the event depending on what they also do for the network sponsors

The big names, such as four-time Grand Slam singles winner Jim Courier or John McEnroe in the past, often work for an overseas TV network as well during the Australian Open, so they could be getting paid twice as much.

According to News.com.au, this year Channel 7 has once again secured the services of Courier, who is joined by Henri Leconte from France and former British woman champion Sam Smith, for its tennis coverage.

A source said that the big stars of yesteryear so keen to sit and talk into a microphone for two weeks in Melbourne's scorching heat as they could earn 150,000 dollars from one network, which includes business class flights and five star accommodation or a suitable serviced apartment.

The source also said that typically expert commentators will work across different networks, write articles, provide online content and maybe even do radio, adding that paid appearances, servicing of their own sponsors, coaching and even playing in celebrity tennis events are other income streams available to the bigger names.