A fund set up to support up to 800 players currently affected by the Tour suspension could be announced as early as this week according to information obtained by a leading news agency.
The Player Relief Fund is a joint-initiative set up by the seven governing bodies of the sport – ATP, WTA, ITF and each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The money will be administered by the ATP and WTA. According to the Associated Press, the fund is “aimed at lessening the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic for about 800 singles and doubles players.” This would be more applicable to those ranked outside of the top 100.
It is understood that an eligibility criteria has been set up where players have to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for financing. Although it is currently unknown as to what those requirements will be. The total pool of money is set to be in the region of $6 million, which works out as $7500 per player if it is evenly shared out between 800 people. The money will be divided equally between men and women.
The emergence of the Player Relief Fund began two weeks ago when a statement was released outlining the governing bodies of tennis plans to lend out financial aid. Although it is still unclear as to when it will be made accessible to players.
“With so much uncertainty around when it will be safe to restart the professional tennis tours, the international governing bodies of world tennis can confirm they are in discussions to create a Player Relief Program to provide much needed assistance to the players who are particularly affected during this time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis,” the joint-statement read.
There is also hope that additional money will be raised via other revenues, including donations from the higher ranked players. An idea set out by Novak Djokovic in a letter he issued to fellow players. In it, the Serbian urged those in the top 100 in singles and top 20 in doubles to make donations between $5000 and $30,000 depending on their world ranking. However, the proposal has been criticised by Dominic Thiem. The world No.3 has said he wants to choose who he donated to because he believes some of the lower level players are ‘unprofessional’ and don’t commit fully to the sport.
Whilst the fund will be a welcome bonus for many on the Tour, some have criticised the governing bodies of dragging their feet on the issue. All professional tournaments have been suspended since March. Resulting in more than 30 being either suspended or cancelled. Nick Kyrgios had previously urged officials to ‘hurry up’ with their financial pledge. Meanwhile Argentina’s Marco Trungelliti has voiced his frustration with the situation.
“The tennis bodies are painful and the only way they handle the situation is to say that it is poor. The whole system is quite loose and they don’t take into account the trainers, the physical trainers,” he told the EFE News Agency.
“At the moment, there is a lot of anger between players and coaches. More than anything, people are angry at the lack of support. In tennis there is no information and you do not belong to anything. Neither financial or mental aid.” The world No.231 added.
It is currently unclear as to when the sport will resume their seasons due to the ongoing pandemic. The earliest return date is July 13th.
