Australian tennis stars Nick Kyrgios and John Millman have weighed in on the ATP Tour’s new funding initiative.
The ATP on Wednesday introduced the creation from 2024 of a monetary safety program for gamers ranked inside the highest 250, guaranteeing a minimal yearly revenue and help in case of harm.
Organisers of the lads’s skilled tennis circuit additionally stated the initiative would supply funding to up-and-coming gamers as soon as they break into the world’s prime 125.
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The ‘Baseline’ scheme ensures minimal revenue ranges for gamers based mostly on their rating, with the ATP set to compensate for any shortfall in prize cash earnings.
For the 2024 season, the “guaranteed threshold” for top-100 gamers can be $A463,000, for these ranked 101-175 the quantity drops all the way down to $231,000 after which $150,000 for any remaining gamers inside the highest 250.
The new scheme nevertheless didn’t sit properly with Kyrgios who responded to a tweet on the wage figures with a easy message.
“Lol still not enough,” Kyrgios wrote.
Fellow Aussie Millman backed up the sentiment shared by Kyrgios as he revealed the true extent of bills required to be on the tour.
“The difficult thing for the casual observer to wrap their heads around are the expenses that tennis players take on board,” he wrote.
“Especially if you are from a country that is more isolated. $200k+ easily in expenses across the year.
“Tennis players shelf life is probably 35 years old max. Nearly all have to find another career post tennis and unless it’s tennis coaching are probably unqualified.
“Guys who are 250 in the world are probably clearing 20-30k after tax and expenses it’s a slog.”
Millman has by no means shied away from revealing the truths behind the scenes within the tennis world after he uncovered tennis as an “unequal playing field” in a column for news.com.au.
“By having unequal opportunities in tournament preparations, the odds before even walking onto the court are stacked against the underdog – for more reasons than most realise,” he wrote.
Former world quantity three Grigor Dimitrov, a member of the ATP participant advisory council, stated the initiative was a “game-changer”.
“Being a professional tennis player comes with incredible rewards, but it’s also a challenging journey, especially for those starting their careers,” he stated.
“Baseline is a game-changer. Knowing that we have a safety net through the minimum guarantee and injury protection pillars gives us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on our game and strive for success.”
The ATP is recurrently criticised by gamers for the inequality between the highest gamers who earn huge sums of cash and people on the decrease finish of the rankings who wrestle to make ends meet.
– with AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
