According to a 2015 professional circuit review by the ITF, it costs the average tennis player about $160,000 per year (including coaching costs) to compete.
By anyone’s estimation, that is a lot, so it should come as no great surprise that only around 160 men and 150 women earned enough in 2013 to break even from prize money alone.
Even though prize money has increased a bit since then, most professional players still do not have a lot of money in the bank to fall back on when times are hard. And a total suspension of the tennis tours due to a global pandemic is about as difficult as it gets.
However, the number of people infected with coronavirus is falling all the time, and the risk level associated with the disease is rapidly dwindling, so it is now time for professional sport to resume.
Naturally, precautions are needed. But sports such as football have shown exactly how to put these in place in order to hold events safely. Admittedly, tennis is one of the most complicated sports to organise responsibly due to its global nature.
Despite this, the ATP, WTA and ITF governing bodies have a responsibility to enable players to have the opportunities they need to earn enough money to pay all of their living costs.
That is why, whatever you have heard some of the top players say about it, the USTA is doing the right thing by continuing to plan for the US Open to take place on the dates it is scheduled for, from 31 August to 13 September.
Vickery Speaks Out
Sachia Vickery, the World No.158, summed up the situation in the most effective way when she responded to comments made by Novak Djokovic that it would be “impossible” to play at Flushing Meadows due to the restrictions imposed by the USTA.
“He should go and play a 60k (lower-level ITF tournament) in Troy, Alabama and then come back and let us know how hard the conditions are,” Vickery told Sky Sports.
“It’s a little selfish to say that in a way because there are so many players who cannot afford to have seven or eight people travel with them in their team. Most of us are used to travelling with just one or two people.”
The American later added on Twitter, “Make no mistake he (Djokovic) has earned everything he’s worked for in his career and he’s incredible , my point is not all players have the luxury of traveling with an entire entourage so if they have to make a few restrictions in order for everyone to make a living it’s understandable.”
Danielle Collins, the World No.51, expressed a similar view in an Instagram story post. “No one has been able to play sanctioned events or make money since February,” she said. “This is a massive opportunity for players to start making money again, and here we have the top player in the world saying only being able to bring one person with [him] will be too difficult.”
Top Players Do Not Have Money Concerns
Collins’ last point about Djokovic being the top player in the world is an important one because it is obvious that the Serbian does not have to worry about money. He can decide whether or not to compete based entirely on whether he feels comfortable doing so.
Furthermore, the decisions made by Djokovic and other players about whether to compete when tennis resumes should not be criticised. They should be free to make whatever choice they want. However, top players should not go around telling the media about all the reasons why tournaments should not take place because their negative views on the matter do not help anyone.
They can think they want about the situation, but they should keep it to themselves and let the rest of the tour get on with the business of earning enough money to live by.
As Boris Becker put it when he spoke to Eurosport Germany’s Vocal Podcast, “I am concerned about the profession of a tennis player. Not about the first hundred players of the world, who hopefully have enough money in their accounts and don’t need next week’s prize money. But a thousand players, who also call themselves tennis pros, they have nothing to work for at the moment. If this break lasts any longer, they will have to look for another job. They have to feed themselves and pay the rent.”
