John Isner has criticised the amount of prize money awarded at grand slams for a first round exit ahead of this year’s Wimbledon.
The American is looking to return to the ATP tour at Wimbledon for the first time since injuring his foot in the Miami final against Roger Federer.
Now with a child, the world number 12 has a different perspective on life and all things tennis as his career doesn’t seem to have many years left.
Proud player & proud father ❤@JohnIsner | @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/xZJeVKgmfY
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 26, 2019
This perspective has now seen him talk about areas of tennis that needs to be improved such as prize money in tennis.
Even though prize money seems to improve with every passing year, Isner has criticised the prize money for those losing in the first round.
In a letter to Forbes Magazine, Isner claimed that he would lose money should he lose his first match at SW19 this year, “For example, when I travel to a Grand Slam, I need to find a place to stay with my family and my team,” Isner began to explain.
“256 players in which I include myself – in addition to tourists, television and media teams, and the entire tennis industry – we are also looking for houses in the same neighbourhood and in the same weeks.
“At Wimbledon this year, I found a nice house within walking distance of the All-England Club for around £ 30,000 during the whole tournament. The cash prize of the first round at Wimbledon is £ 45,000, which, together with the flights, salaries and expenses of my team, would make the tournament a waste of money for me.”
Prize money has been a big talking point in tennis with players such as Vasek Pospisil and Taylor Fritz also stating the need for players to get even with more prize money at lower rounds or level.
ATP singles players year-end earnings in 2018 before taxes & expenses:
Player ranked 600: $14,670
Player ranked 500: $18,067
Player ranked 400: $36,478
Player ranked 300: $76,658The glamorous life of the middle tier of professional tennis = losing money.
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) June 14, 2019
The 9th seed at Wimbledon also backed up Pospisil and Fritz’s claims that tax has a huge factor in how much prize money you keep as well, “In addition, taxes must also be included in this discussion,” Isner claimed.
“For example, of the 45 thousand pounds sterling in the first round of the Wimbledon prize, I think they discount 45 percent, which is quite high.
“Of course, each country is different and there are some rules, but what I am trying to say is that the taxes are significant, and it is something that must be taken into account as the numbers of the cash prizes of the tournament appear in the headlines, but they can vary substantially from what ends up in a player’s pocket.”
Although there are many good points in this prize money debate, there have still been no concrete solutions or discussions to the problem which has been a frustration to many.
For now though Isner needs to concentrate on his form and fitness on the court rather than the politics off the court as the American will look for a successful return to the tour.
Last year’s semi-finalist will find out his first round opponent on Friday morning when the draw is announced.
