ATP
Show us the money!
WOMEN’S tennis is facing a financial impasse after a number of top 20 stars wrote t the WTA recently demanding ‘minimum wages’ for players.
Among what many believe to be a long list of demands, players are looking for a guaranteed minimum pay where the top 100 players will be paid $500,000.
Those between 101 and 175 earn $200,000 and lastly, the 176 and 250 bands receive $100,000.
That’s $50 million a year for the top 100, plus $15 million for the second tier and $7.5 million for the 175-250 ranked players.
In total $72.5 million per annum minimum guaranteed.
Players though are not employees of either the WTA or the ATP – or of any event. They are self employed sports men and women, most operating as independent businesses.
There has been no response as yet from the WTA – but this push comes after the richer and far greater performing ATP announced its financial security program two months ago.
Nice idea if all things were equal – but they are not – as there is a massive disparity in prize money between men and women, with WTA players making a lot less annually compared to men.
Why? Because the ATP is a better commercial body, getting bigger sponsorship and tournament fees from hosts than the WTA, combined with the fact that men’s tennis, especially Slams and major events are way more commercially attractive than the women’s equivalent.
Currently, only the four Slams and a select few ATP/WTA 1000 events offer equal prize money to men and women.
It may seem laudable to want equal pay – but tennis is not equal – the ATP a far superior management organisation than the WTA, outside of Slam and 1000 events.
So where does this guaranteed money come from?
Sponsors? TV rights? Neither will pay more without a return on investment – which leaves us with an impasse that currently looks likely to continue for some time to come.
Selling out to the Saudis may bring extra revenue – but at what cost?
The top 10 players in the world in 2023 amassed $195.7 million from the game (source Forbes). Perhaps they could make a donation to the cause?
NOVAK Djokovic and his PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association) had this to say earlier this year about player prize money:
“According to some statistics, we are number three or four in the world in terms of viewership. 1.3 billion people are watching us. And yet only 400 people – men and women – can make a living from this sport.”
On what format is this statistic based?
Tennis is very seasonal – the four slams attract big international audiences, everything else doesn’t, often appearing on little known subscription-based digital channels that offer very little exposure to potential sponsors or advertisers.
MEANWHILE, Dkjovic has accused the game’s authorities of putting the health of players in danger by their decision to use different balls for each event.
Djokovic told Sportal the changing of tennis balls in different tournaments is a huge threat to players, contributing to an increase in shoulder and wrist injuries.
“There is certainly a connection between frequent injuries of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder with ball changes,” Djokovic said last week.
“I am absolutely in favour of choosing one ball with which we will play all ATP tournaments. It is different and more difficult with the Grand Slams because each of the biggest tournaments we play, negotiates separately which sponsor they will have for the balls, but this also happens on the ATP tour.
“Every tournament has the right to negotiate. However, we simply have to find a way to unify, so that in each category on the ATP tour we have one ball to play with, depending on the surface.
“I support the players complaining and asking the ATP to find a way to resolve it. They have to find a solution.
“When you have tennis players from the top who are trying to reach you in public and say ‘Hey, let’s talk about that topic,’ you have to make a statement.”
SUMMER is on its way Down Under and it came as no surprise last week when Tennis Australia Boss Craig Tiley popped up on TV to promote the 2024 Australian Open.
And the announcement that Rafa Nadal wants to make possibly one last visit to Melbourne, was a perfect PR gift for Tiley and his organisation.
Nadal, 37, will play Melbourne again in January, quashing rumours he was about to retire from the sport.
“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” Tiley told the Today show.
“He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome.”
It will be Nadal’s first action on the ATP Tour since he crashed out of the Australian Open in January with a hip injury.
ANOTHER comeback, according to Tiley, will see local hero Nick Kyrgios back on court.
Tiley said Kyrgios still had work to overcome a knee injury, but was confident he would play.
“The one thing great about Nick – he’s very transparent and very open about what he’s feeling and what he thinks … I personally believe in the communication that he’s motivated to come back and play in January,” Tiley said.
“He loves playing, he loves playing here in front of his crowd, and he knows everyone wants him to play.”
Kyrgios missed Wimbledon with a wrist injury while the knee issue has kept him out of other Slams.
Others back for the event include past winners Angelique Kerber (2016), Naomi Osaka (2019 and 2021) and 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki.
WHY Serena Williams is to receive a Fashion Icon award at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards next month, is beyond us at Sunday Serve.
The awards ceremony will take place at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on November 6.
Wiliams, known later in her career for some bizarre on-court outfits, is the first athlete to receive the award, which has been given to such people as Lenny Kravitz, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Franca Sozzani, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and Rihanna.
AND finally…
Quote of the week comes from Spanish star Garbine Muguruza, who last week stated publicly she had no intention of returning to the courts anytime soon.
In an interview with Women’s Health Magazine, the player said:
“I am living this break very happily since it was something that my body and my mind needed. So, I am really enjoying these moments.
“As of today, I have no intention. My plan right now is to sleep, rest, be with my loved ones, make up for lost time.”
Her comments saw a flurry of reaction in Twitter (X) with one standing out: “This sport is lonely & tough.”
Carlos Alcaraz ended a four-and-a-half month injury exile with a resounding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Roman Safiullin on Monday at the US Open to mark his return to the courts after a wrist injury.
The defending champion now ranked third is hoping to become the first man to successfully defend the title here Roger Federer won US Open over five consecutive editions (2004-2008).
“For me it’s been a really tough five months. Being able to step on Arthur Ashe and being able to compete again.. as I said before the tournament, I couldn’t decide to come back in a better tournament than here in New York,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s a really special tenement for me. I tried to enjoy as much as I can. I missed it. I missed the crowd. The energy. I missed competition. I missed everything. 🥹 I’m just really really happy I was able to compete again.”
“On this (Ashe) court, I made my dream. First major. First time becoming No. 1 in the world.
“The warm welcome I receive every time I come here is crazy. I really appreciate it. I really feel the love from the people.”
One-time top 10 regular Stefanos Tsitsipas unleashed a major surprise on Cincinnati winner Arthur Fils with a turnaround 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-4 win as the French youngster failed to earn a two-set-to-love lead over the Greek.
“I don’t have the answer,” the 10th-seeded Fils said after his collapse in form. “Once the energy went down at the end of the second, I never felt again a good energy.
“I have to talk with my team, but at my level, to do such a mistake is almost unprofessional.”
He added: “I was trying to fight; at one point I broke back early in the fourth, so I was trying to find a way, but not accurate enough on the serve.
“The ball was not going very well out of my racquet. Even if I was fighting, was tough.”
Fils had beaten No. 53 Tsitsipas in all five of heir previous matches
The Greek, playing unseeded for the first time here, reaching the second round for the sixth time as he came from a set and 5-2 down.
Former ATP No. 3 Tsitsipas pronounced himself “speechless” at his success. “It’s an amazing start to the tournament, I’m very proud of myself.
“I’m taking it a day at a time. I don’t wanna be looking too far away. I prefer to stay grounded in the moment. A win like this today matters a lot to me.”
:French veteran Adrian Mannarino, aged 38, fought back from two sets to love down for only the second time in his career to advance past Thiago Tirante 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The loss ended the dream of the 42nd-ranked Argentine who beat Novak Djokovic in the Cincinnati second round last month as the Serb competed for the first time since Wimbledon at the pre-Open event.
The first-round match began on opening day but was interrupted by night-time rain and concluded on Monday.
Andrey Rublev wore down lucky loser Otto Virtanen as the Finn cramped in the closing stages on the way to a 6-7 (5), 6-7 (0), 6-0, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Virtanen entered the draw as former champion Marin Cilic withdrew.
Main photo:- ‘New look” Carlos Alcaraz celebrates first round win on return from injury – ATPTour.com
Novak Djokovic hit the wall as the 24-time Grand Slam winner vomited at the back of the court and was treated by the trainer during a disheartening first round loss which ended early Monday morning on opening day of the US Open.
The 39-year-old Serb fell ill – he said things have been this way for weeks – as he took a loss to Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
In addition to his stomach problems, the ailing Serb was seen by the trainer, the doctor and used an inhaler as he complained of cramping and general poor health during a stress test lasting nearly four and three-quarter hours.
The defeat came a fortnight after Djokovic was knocked out in his opening match in Cincinnati after reaching a Wimbledon semi-final.
“It was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It’s something I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” Djokovic said early Monday.
“Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain.
“The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.
He added: “I was up a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter.
But, you know, I didn’t enjoy myself.”
The disappointing end was Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades and cut off a run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories going back to a loss to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.
“From the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments,” Djokovic said.
“I’m very sorry that I, you know, didn’t perform as well as I should have or could have… but the love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart.”
Seventh seed and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev came good after losing here a year ago in the first round, posting a win over Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 for his 33rd victory of the season.
Montreal quarter-finalist Daniel Merida defeated Marton Fucsovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to earn the fist straight-set men’s win of the fortnight.
Jiri Lehecka put out two-time semi-finalist Pablo Carreño Busta 6-1, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2. The win served as revenge after the veteran Spaniard beat the Czech in the Roland Garros first round.
No. 101 Dino Prizmic spent nearly four hours before completing a win over Alexander Shevchenko to advance in five sets.
The 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 success was hard-fought, with Prizmic leading 5-2 and serving for it in the fourth set but needing to go all the way to claim his first victory here after saving two match points.
The Croat has threatened top 10 names in the past, beating Novak Djokovic in Rome and Ben Shelton in Madrid.
Cincinnati quarter-finalist Tommy Paul recovered after losing the opening set, storming back for a 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 win over Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong.
Day 1 British results were mixed, with Cam Norrie going down in an upset loss to Frenchman Luca van Assche 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 while debutant Toby Samuel’s earned the biggest win of his career as he stunned Czech Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
Former finalist Casper Ruud made a last-minute pull out on Sunday as the US Open began, with the Norwegian still affected by the back injury which forced his retirement only days ago in Cincinnati.
The runner-up four years ago to Carlos Alcaraz has been carrying the problems for several weeks and pulled the plug on his participation on opening day of the season;s final major.
Ruud becomes the 20th player to withdraw,, a list led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is dealing with a knee injury and who has not played since winning Wimbledon in July.
Ruud was due to start in New York against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, whom he defeated last month in Montreal.
Ruud now faces a rush to fitness if he is to compete at the Laver Cup in London from September 25.
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