On a day when both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer progress to the second round at Wimbledon after their opponents withdrew. A debate has erupted over the decision of some players to play the tournament injured in order to earn more money.
The packed crowd on Centre Court suffered a double blow on the second day at SW19. First it was the match involving Djokovic, which lasted 43 minutes before world No.47 Martin Klizan called it a day due to a calf injury. Immediately after, seven-time champion Federer was in action for almost the same amount of time (44 minutes) before Alexandr Dolgopolov’s troublesome ankle ended his campaign.
At a glance, some may think it was just a freak coincidence. On the other hand, the temptation for players to turn up for a match unfit is being aided by the surge in prize money in grand slams. Regardless of the outcome, a first round loser will take home a paycheck of £35,000. The increase fee was introduced by Wimbledon to support lower ranked players, an initiative taken by all grand slam tournaments. Even though, it could be making some play with the wrong intentions.
“A player should not go on court if he knows he should not finish. The question is, did they truly believe they were going to finish. If they did, I think it’s okay that they walk on court. Otherwise, I think they should give up the spot.” Federer said during his press conference.
Recently the ATP implemented an on-site withdrawal/lucky loser rule. Players can pull out of their matches and still receive the prize money. Meanwhile, the lucky loser replacing them will receive prize money should they win their opening round (as well as ranking points). The potential implementation of the rule in grand slam events has been back by both Federer as well as Djokovic.
“I think the new rule that the ATP has reinforced allows players who deserve already, who have made it to the Grand Slam main draw, to get what they deserve, but at the other hand allow someone else to play if they can. I support that kind of rule.” Djokovic stated.
The other side of the argument
The harshest critics accuse players of being selfish by not allowing a fully fit player to replace them in the draw. On the other hand, can they be blamed, considering the cost of the sport? One example is Brazilian world No.100 Thiago Monteiro. According to the official ATP website, the 23-year-old currently has a career earning of $483, 765. Therefore a £35,000 cheque for turning up for a match is a big incentive and ever more so for the lower ranked players.
The British Lawn Tennis Association estimates that it costs £250,000 to develop a tennis player from the age of 5 to 18. Furthermore, the USTA estimated in 2010 that it cost a ‘highly competitive’ tennis player an average of $143,000 a year (roughly £110,600). Some financial demands players faces include equipment costs, travel, accommodation, coaching support and tournament fees.
Janko Tipsarevic was another player to retire on Tuesday. Unlike the others, he finds himself in a more stable condition. A former top-10 player with a career earnings of over $8 million, the incentive to participate in a match for the sake of it isn’t his top priority. Although, he can see why others do it.
“If a guy is all his life is playing Challengers and suddenly has a chance to play Wimbledon main draw, where the first-round loss is £35,000, I don’t think anybody has the right to judge him, to say ‘you didn’t do the right thing, you’re unfair for going there and picking up a cheque’, because that same guy, probably next week, if he drops, he needs to pay a coach and all the other expenses to go to a Challenger where if he wins he gets €150 or €300.” Tipsarevic said during a lengthy interview with Sport 360.
Japan’s Yuichi Sugita is one player illustrating the pay gap between grand slam and challenger events. At the €127,000 Surbiton trophy he won the title to take home a pay pack of €78,270. Should he win just two matches at Wimbledon, he would claim £90,000 (roughly €100,000).
Some will question the fairness of some players playing injured, but it doesn’t take a genius to work out why they do it.
