Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez expects there to be a substantial decline in prize money on the ATP Tour in the coming months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world No.56, who is also the tournament director of the Madrid Open, spoke out about the current status of the sport ahead of an expected announcement concerning when the Tour will resume again later this week. All professional tournaments have been suspended since March due to the worldwide pandemic with the USTA set to make their final decision on hosting the US Open on Monday.
Wherever the Tour does resume, Lopez warns that it will take a while for the sport to return back to normal. Saying the financial impact on the ongoing crises will likely result in a cut to prize money. No tournament has yet confirmed if they will be cutting their prize money pool and by how much in the future. However, some reports have suggested that if the US Open does take place in 2020 it will offer 95% of what they provided the previous season despite a 60% loss in revenue.
“We have to understand that tennis is not going to be the same, at least for one, two, three years. I don’t know how long,” Lopez reporters over the weekend.
“But we need to survive this moment and we need to be united.
“The players need to understand that it’s going to be a significant reduction in the prize money. I see now the scenario where tournaments will survive with a significant reduction in prize money – not only for this year, but also for (the) 2021 season.”
Addressing the current uncertainty about what the future may look like, Lopez says it is ‘urgent’ his fellow players to return back to action sooner rather than later. Claiming that any further delay could have a direct impact on the future survival of the ATP. The governing body of men’s tennis which was founded back in 1972.
“I’m talking as a player now – but I’m also a tournament director and I am able to see the reality, to see how tough it is to survive in this crisis. It is hitting everyone. It’s tough to break even. This is what the players need to understand. It is really urgent that everybody plays. But, if we don’t have tournaments, it’s possible the ATP is not going to survive either. We need to stay together. It is the only way to survive.” He said.
It is for this reason why the 38-year-old believes the majority of players will play at the US Open despite there being various concerns expressed about it’s measures. The likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep and Ash Barty have all expressed their doubts. Should the event get the green light, players will be subjected to various COVID-19 testing, only allowed to bring one member of their team on site and have to stay in a hotel located near the airport.
“I personally would go and play the US Open: I think the majority of players would also do the same,” Lopez said.
“I think the US Open know there might be many players that don’t want to go and play there.
“But I think the US Open is not depending on only the top players playing. My personal opinion is that they are planning to have the event thinking that some of the top players – I don’t know how many – might not play.”
As for the Madrid Open, the Spaniard is hopeful that it will still get underway in September ahead of the French Open. Despite acknowledging a reduction of funds at the event, he says they could still break even with 40% of the crowd capacity.
Lopez has won seven titles on the ATP Tour so far in his career and has played in 72 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments.
Note: quotes via BBC Sport and The Guardian
