Where’s my money? Gero Kretschmer Seeks Prize Money two years After Winning Title

Former world No.79 doubles player Gero Kretschmer has lashed out at the ATP after revealing that he is still waiting for prize money from a 2014 tournament.

The German teamed up with Alexander Satschko to claim the 2014 Sao Paulo Challenger title at the start of that year. The Sao Paulo title was Kretschmer’s only title that year on the tour. The two players are still awaiting a payment of $7600 from the tournament organizers. In a lengthy post on his Facebook account, Kretschmer was heavily critical of the ATP’s handling of the situation.

“They keep telling us that they are talking to the former tournament director to reach and get the payment. The reality looks different. Nothing happened in 2 years. We haven’t got even one Euro so far. The ATP payed a reimbursement for 1000$ for each player,that’s it. It feels like giving a lollipop to a child to keep it quiet”. The German player wrote.

The explanation about why there has been such a shocking delay in prize money payment is currently unclear.  Usually tournaments are obliged to designate the prize money into an ‘ATP bank account’ 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the event. Kretschmer has accused the ATP of double standards and not acting quicker in his case due to the fact that he is participating in the lower level of the tour.

“I am wondering if they would let this happening to an ATP Event where the “Big Stars” are playing. They would be so scared to loose their face, but of course you can do it with the “2nd and 3rd” class Players”. He later added in his Facebook post.

There is currently no comment from the ATP concerning Kretschmer’s and Satchko’s situation.

Who is Gero Kretschmer?
Age: 30
Nationality: German
Ranking: 98 doubles (best of 79th in 2014)
Grand Slam record: Only one Grand Slam appearance at the 2015 Wimbledon championships where he lost in the first round of the doubles tournament.
ATP Doubles Titles: 2015 Ecuador Open with Sacko. Five Challenger doubles titles.
Singles titles: Seven Futures titles won between 200-2010.

The full Facebook post from Kretschmer can be read below.