The head of the ATP has compared the Challenger Tour to going to university before going on to say he doubts it will ever be sustainable.
Andrea Gaudenzi is facing backlash from some of his own players over the comments which were made during an interview with the Financial Times about the hardships players face on the Tour. The chairman said playing in the lower-level events is an investment which leads to ‘having a job’ which is a term he used for playing ATP Tournaments ranked 250 and above. This year there were more than 140 Challenger tournaments taking place across the world with prize money ranging between $36,680 and $156,240. Former Grand Slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray are among those who have played in the events in 2021.
“In the Challenger Tour you should be able to at least break even and pay your costs. But you have to be conscious that this is sort of like a university. It’s an investment. Then go and move into the pro tour where you have a job,” Guadenzi commented.
Elaborating further the Italian unexpectedly said he doesn’t think the Challenger Tour will ever be fully viable because it lacks interest. Guadenzi is a former player himself who reached a high on 18th back in 1995. According to his player biography, he played singles in 74 different Challenger tournaments between 1990 and 2003.
“I don’t think it will ever be possible to have a sustainable tour at that level [Challenger Tour] simply because it lacks the interest of the fans and the engagement of the sponsors, broadcasters and ticket revenues.” He said.
In recent years the ATP has increased prize money at Challenger events in order to support their players. Furthermore, in March 2021 they were awarded a support package of $10,000 per tournament in order to support costs concerning COVID-19 protocols. However, Gaudenzi has admitted that the revenue generated from the sport doesn’t allow everybody playing on the second tier to make a profitable living.
In 2021 Novak Djokovic earned $9,100,547 in prize money which was more than anybody else on the ATP Tour. This works out as more than 17 times the amount won by Jiri Vesely ($525,212) who is the 100th highest earner. There are more than 1000 players who currently have a ranking on the ATP Tour but only 111 managed to pass the $500,000 mark as of December 17th. This doesn’t take into account travel costs, coaching fees, accommodation and other factors players have to pay for.
In response to Gaudenzi’s comments, some players have voiced their shock and frustration on social media website Twitter. One of the most critical was from two-time Australian Open quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren who wrote ‘whether he’s right or wrong, this is ridiculously bad branding. Should be instantly fired for this.” Meanwhile, Noah Rubin said the sport has been in ‘limbo’ for many years and action needs to be taken.
“Tennis has been in this limbo stage. Not only with challengers, but also doubles. Either make the necessary changes for large numbers to make a living or own who you are like F1 and put it in the hands of 20 players. If you think tennis has a happy ending in this system.” Rubin commented.
French player Gregoire Barrere said Gaudenzi has ‘shot himself in the foot’ with his comments which will make it harder to promote the Challenger circuit. Another critic is former world No.1 doubles player and Australian Open CEO Paul McNamee, who accused the ATP chief of being disrespectful.
“The Gaudenzi comments about Challengers “At university, not sustainable etc.” are highly disrespectful to quality players, who have no choice! Perhaps it’s because he’s so focused on expanding the 1000’s to two weeks each, which will reduce the number of tournaments even further?” McNamee wrote.
The ATP is yet to comment on Gaudenzi’s remarks.
