The HARSH Business Of Tennis...

[@bobgeorges]

Novak Djokovic was the first who, ten or more years ago, raised his voice and stood up for lower-ranked tennis players, and with that act he became a sworn enemy of the people who manage the ATP. In 2020, together with the Canadian Vasek Pospisil, he founded the PTPA organization. The PTPA calls itself "an organization created BY the players FOR the players" to "support, protect and advance players' well being on and off the court."

[@theodorekim4193]

All the more reason why Djokovic is the GOAT!

[@bobgeorges]

@@theodorekim4193 Indeed!

[@Gizo02]

Was it thanks to the PTPA that the ATP introduced a minimum wage from 2024, with Djokovic and Pospisil both pushing for that? Even if you look beyond titles, out of the big 3 it seems that Djokovic has done more than Federer or Nadal to support and improve the earnings of lower ranked players, and he has also clearly been more gracious than either of them after defeats (with much warmer post-match handshakes).

[@JonathanKJM]

Yet nothing has changed. All talk with nothing to show for it. Goes to show how little influence Novak truly has. Not the GOAT.

[@bobgeorges]

@@JonathanKJM In California still wearing masks. Are you from California?

[@lilies9251]

In Japan, pro tennis players usually belong to a team, often a major tennis school, or some big company. Thus, they receive a base salary, a place to train and partners, which then can be complemented with other endorsements, prize money, etc.

[@miloraddjurdjic1695]

I heard that about china too

[@JK-vc7ie]

Maybe that’s why they have so few pro players.

[@kalebball5144]

In America, administrators and grifter coaches steal all the money and develop nothing. The usa should be a tennis powerhouse.

[@JK-vc7ie]

@@kalebball5144 It is not America's job to produce tennis players.

[@BobSaysWhat22]

@@JK-vc7ieTennis is not the biggest sport in Japan anyway.

[@blue-phoenix115]

This is why Tennis is called: Rich people's sport. 1. The vast majority of Pros come from rich families 2. Only wealthy families can afford to dump a lot of money into their children & hiring the best most expensive personnels to expedite their child's Tennis EXP. 3. Normal kids can only learn by themselves, with friends, or taking tennis courses for regular folks. 4. Only prodigy normal kids can make Pro without spending lavish amounts of money. 5. Those lucky enough to make Pro will have to compete against other higher EXP rich Pros. 6. It's hard enough to beat rich Pros with more EXP. Even when they do, the prize money is too little to maintain their Pro lifestyle. 7. In order to maintain a Pro lifestyle with limit wealth, the individual must take time away from farming Tennis EXP to work at a job. Whereas a rich Pro can afford to focus solely on Tennis.

[@gabbar51ngh]

It's becoming Formula 1 basically.

[@SILK334]

The thing is you look at team sports where you can lose consistently or be mediocre by pro level standards and get guaranteed money and then in tennis you have players in the bottom of the pool who technically could take the top players to the wire but when you dont even have money to eat not even talk about train it's crazy. The biggest problem is the information to quality level technique and skills are hidden behind pay walls. Like you said tennis is a rich mans sport

[@markaven5249]

Serena and Venus will always be a Cinderella story

[@AJ-iu6nw]

@@SILK334 Tennis needs to be a Clan sport. Like in an MMORPG. Join our tennis clan and sign on for a set salary with included meals, trainers, transport. We take a cut of your winnings, you keep your ATP ranking points.

[@stefanossmitty3318]

@@markaven5249you read my mind. What they achieved is simply remarkable.

[@majasrbia]

I cannot imagine how many talented young players had to quit just bcs they didnt have enough money . I am proud of my countryman Novak , now being rich he could easily forget about strugles of younger players , but he didnt . Empathy is a magic word that seems many lack of 😑... Bravo Nole , your heart is pure gold

[@steinanderson]

are you from Monaco too?

[@goranjovanovic5721]

Ne lupetaraj bre!

[@paulobastos1774]

Maybe they were not as "talented" as they thought. It's pretty much like in any other profession.

[@CeeceeChan]

And him financing Hamad, a Muslim , too.

[@CeeceeChan]

​@@paulobastos1774Not necessarily. A top sportman from my country stopped his career because his family ' s poor and he felt he needed to earn money . His parents are uneducated so didn't know how to look for sponsors plus our country isn't really sports - mad .

[@cliffchang32]

I used to play professional tennis for a while and even got the chance to play in 25k tours, but it was exactly the financial aspect that made me quitted in the end. Many people would say you're not making good money because you're not a good player, but the harsh fact is that many players have to quit before they can be a good player because of money. Just like most of the other careers, regardless if you're talented, you still have to do trainings and gain experience to become better and make better money. For example, if you're a programmer, regardless if you're talented, you still have to learn programming at school, then start from a junior programmer before you can finally become senior programmer and start making good money. Same as in tennis career, you have to learn to play tennis just like learning programming at school, start playing small tours just like being a junior programmer, then finally compete in big tours just like being a senior programmer. Earning little to no money in small tours is just like asking you to move to London and be a junior programmer for free, not many people can bare with the costs. I don't think it's a good idea to cut down the prize money on big tours, cause big prize money is one way to attract audience. It's just like people are buying and excited about lottery because of the big prize money, if there's no big prize money in big tours, people will be less interested. What ATP, WTA and ITF should do is to improve local engagement, so more money can flow into small tours. Right now in most of the small tours, most of the costs are being totally covered by the organiser itself, with maybe a little help from the local government. And this is making ITF hard to increase the prize money, because if you simply increase the prize money and ask the organiser to cover all the costs, lots of organisers are going to leave. What they should do is to improve local engagement, so that more money can flow into the tours from other resourses, so the orgainsers won't feel huge pressure even if the prize money is increased. To put it in simple words, re-distributing the existing prize money could improve the situation in short term, but it's not a solution in long run. It's just like asking senior programmers to be paid less so junior programmers can be paid more, which is not realistic. What a company should do is to attract more investors and customers into the business, so that the company can grow and pays better to their employee.

[@ameeetbareek9098]

very well put. but besides that, I also think making tennis coaching affordable is crucial. also, tennis organizers should provide platform that allows tennis player to gain experience at lower cost - if becoming experienced player means playing against better players in tournaments, then there should be platform that allows developing players to compete with developed players.

[@elviszhupa2130]

Why u didn't bet your games?!

[@markvanderwerf8592]

Thing is though, it isn't easy to grow tennis. Except the grand slams very few people actually watch tennis, it's not a very popular sport except the top end. And with upcoming sportsv like padel and pickleball it's getting even harder. Of course these smaller events try to get more attention but they constantly fail. Futures and challengers barely draw any crowd. The players are nobodies, often with no connection to the tournament or the area. Honestly tennis tournaments a level below draw more attention typically where the level is slightly worse but people know the players a bit more at least. The problem is the sport being individual so much and always tournaments with knockout format. You need something like leagues or competition where players just get a base salary, train and travel with a team etc. At lower level that's also better for fan connection, like college sports in the US. I'd seriously slash into the futures/challengers and create a competition for universities or clubs in Europe. Make players be able to compete in that for consistent opportunities to play with steady income, training etc. and then let players earn ATP points in it so they can actually have a fair shot at reaching pro. Now tennis just remains a rich person sport or you need to come from one of the countries like US or France where it's easier.

[@JamminOnThe1]

I think it’s a good idea to play division one college like Isner, McDonald, Steve Johnson and others. You get a degree while playing high level tennis. Then you can actually start a career if the tennis doesn’t work out. And unfortunately, it likely won’t work out for most.

[@systemswrong]

That can only work in the USA. Other parts of the world (such as most European countries) do not even offer scholarships for talented athletes. So, I believe that would further centralize tennis.

[@nt4081]

I was about to write the same thing. Perhaps a degree in sports management, broadcasting , business, health sciences .

[@chrislu29]

the degree is like a reward for playing tennis for the colleges. for elite tennis program, they really don't have enough time to study / learn. yea but they will get the degree anyway

[@rishi11514]

@@systemswrongbut a lot of D1 schools in the US recruit international students, so it’s not like European players can’t play college tennis in the US

[@kcchen2920]

That is why US higher education will remain at the top. The support and appreciation for all types of students who have different talents is unparalleled. China has scholarships but the sheer amount of money and opportunities allocated to these aspiring student-athletes is simply subpar. Also, the diversity of scholarship programs offered is very narrow.

[@chrisf9156]

Entry fees are bogus. Feel like at minimum tournaments should provide a stipend for travel and hotel fees for any players that don't have to qualify, especially at the lower levels. Without the players, you don't have a tournament.

[@VegaFortnite]

For the normal person when he said “just $15,000” it sounds great but when you put it into tennis players and sport players then compared to the fees to get to that place it is downright disgusting.

[@ramjetrth]

This is why if you want to make a living in professional sports, team sports are a better bet. If you are a ranked 200 tennis player you can barely survive. If you play American football, if you are number 1500, you still make $750,000 a year.

[@davidcunningham7330]

I noticed that this video was probably created during or right after what was called the Western & Southern Open (now the Cincinnati Open). The give away - the W&S Fila shirt that you were wearing! I'm a volunteer there and we do it for the pure enjoyment and love of the game and that particular tournament. We pay our own way - no hotel rooms, no free meals (although we are give a small food allowance for each day we volunteer). We volunteer regardless ... because we enjoy it. Volunteers come there from all parts of the country.

[@jaydubb2005]

Nah, they need to pay all the workers. They got plenty of money.

[@vinhluu2154]

The challenge with unions in the traditional sense, for an individual sport like tennis, is players are basically funding their competitors. Players at the top, with money, who are best able to fund the union don't want to support and develop players below them to come up and challenge them. There's a huge conflict of interest. One positive is a tennis player union may help to negotiate and pressure tennis associations/tournaments to increase prize money and perks that any player can compete for. However, as competitive the tennis sport is, once the union supports individual players to compete it will break down.

[@JordanjamesX]

This is an important video! The grand slams don't pay the players enough. Novak Djokovic is very vocal he created a union with Vasek Pospisil. The slams need to pay players more money. More top players need to stand up. It is harsh truth pro tennis you need a lot of money and talent to succeed. The tennis players we see are the lucky ones. Good video.

[@aleksjj]

The problem is even worse, just to enter tournaments( qualification) ( 15 k ,25 k) you need to have some ranking, otherwise you find yourself always in alternates. And even if you get a chance to play qualification, probably you will lose in first round , as no experience and pressure.

[@Sweeney-Kubach]

I had a friend playing professionally tennis on the tour, and after she told me what she had to go through just to get the money to enter the tournament, I started to talk to other professionals about this issue and many other issues that professionals were facing. I tried to help start a professional players fund to help them compete, and pay for medical treatment if injured. This was done locally and I this idea I had with others was back in the late 80s while I was still in High School. The plan didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, because the adults that were organizing the association, were complete scumbags that stole the money out of fund! So Novak is right, the players need a functional players association that represents everyone and represents both women and men from all rankings. It’s a disgrace that the women professional tennis players literally have to have a full time job just to survive and pay bills, not including training, traveling, and fees to enter the tournaments. It’s a disgrace, and the players should look into MLB players association, which is one of the most powerful unions in the world, when it comes to organizing and taking care of their own. Great job on the video!

[@Courtside_Tennis]

Wow that is really amazing that you tried to create something like this all the way back in the 80's! A STRONG players association is definitely needed in Tennis

[@aldonamartin5092]

Thank you so much for highlighting the situation of struggling players and of course, the corruption !

[@JohnDoe-dp4kx]

Outstanding Video! Thanks!

[@vonbraun8051]

This situation of lack of money in lower ranked players is nothing new. For many years the life of the touring tennis pro (used to be sometimes called "tennis bums") was a hard one. Lots of bus rides, sleeping in cheap hotels, maybe get lucky and get a free room from a tourny volunteer. Doing laundry on the cheap. Stringing your own rackets. But I really miss those days. What an adventure it seems now. I bet most of the guys who chased that dream and toured professionally without making it still wouldn't trade those memories for some corporate job. They'd probably do it again. For as long as I can remember there was never much money at the bottom. But, what changed most is how much money there is at the top. The level of tennis from a 200th ranked player isn't that much from the top ten guys. If you watched them practice the average fan might night even be able to tell who the top guy is and who the 200th guy is. I think college tennis can be a potential solution for players with pro ambition.

[@slingshotchicken4695]

You are what they call a Journeyman.

[@aldroid4844]

Exactly spot on! ATP lower ranks are tough. I can say it’s a great learning experience for the harshness of Life!

[@LiamApilado]

More attention should be put on this issue for tennis players. nice video

[@JK-vc7ie]

I disagree. This is exactly how it should be.

[@MMM18092]

You should have mentioned that the main treshold for surviving financially as a tennis player is to reach a ranking high enough to make it to Grand Slam qualifying. The cut off is just above the 200 mark and losing in R1 of qualifying of the US Open 23 gave a player a whopping 21,000 USD. That's the same amount as winning a Challenger 125 which is much more difficult. Cost of travelling and accommodation also varies a lot between countries, there is no way the average future players spends 500 USD per week on accommodation or 1,000 USD per tournament in travel costs. Some tournaments have subsidized hospitality and Slams have per diem payments towards hotel costs. The million dollar question is how many players globally should be paid enough to break even. I think 300-350 is a reasonable number in order to avoid talents chosing other careers.

[@LouCadle]

The residential coaching programs for 15, 16 year olds in the US cost parents about 40K/year. Few scholarships. And to even apply, you have to be in the finals at Kalamazoo, or have many ITC points by age 14, so you had to afford coaching to get that good, travel to get there at age 13 or 14, and so of course fans have missed out on tens of thousands of potential great players ever developing because they were not born into wealth. As a fan, attend a nearby ITC or Challenger event to financially support the system. Or donate to the USTA scholarship fund, if you can. Or, if you play, volunteer to coach 9 and 10 year old players. Someone like Taylor Fritz, heir to the May Company fortune, had lots of options. Some kid with great potential in your own town may have none. Thanks for bringing attention to this situation.

[@mrchecox2206]

Something I was talking with my coach, is that tennis player can play for clubs, like Real Madrid, Atlanta United, most of those soccer teams are clubs, an have Basketball teams and even other solo sports like athleticism, for instance, the Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas, world record of triple jump on the Olympics, she comes from a poor area in Venezuela but was discovered trained and paid by Barcelona fútbol club, and represent the club even when in the Olympics she represent Venezuela and not Spain. Tennis should adopt that kind of club engagements

[@chisha8415]

The guy who beat Federer was sleeping in a van. Damn

[@divad23]

As someone who follows ITF and challenger events, I am 100% sure match-fixing at these levels occurs every tournament - throwing sets; and particularly spot-fixing the first game of each set.

[@philburneblair]

The system is clearly broken but things maybe looking up. The work that the PTPA is doing is slowly making changes. I just hope more players come onboard and support the efforts.

[@steinanderson]

lol it's the ATP making the changes

[@aldonamartin5092]

Yes and why do you think that might be ?????

[@steinanderson]

@@aldonamartin5092 because of people on the ATP Council, duh

[@justjosh1992]

The thing is they have the money to raise the prize funds for smaller tournaments, like fed being paid 2M to play in 250atp when total prize fund was 630k

[@edidiongedemeka2096]

Dude your knowledge of tennis is impressive

[@udishomer5852]

Great effort and all, but very general. I researched this subject a while ago and have detailed stats for 2019 (pre-covid): 78% of all prize money goes to the top 100. A player needs to be ranked 300-400 to roughly break even (35-50k a year), not including side jobs. Over the whole career, 76% of ATP players make below $20k per year (should be better these days with the increased prizes).

[@floxy20]

It reminds me of the cheap old days on the PGA tour when even top golfers had to travel by car and share motel accommodations. Head to head elimination must play a part in dragging things out versus simply posting a score against a field.

[@saxmanphd]

Players union like the PTPA is a good first step

[@willwahl9225]

Respect to Novak Djokovic for speaking up. Thats his character right there. As a passionate tennis fan I do hope his efforts bear fruit in supporting many players. Makes me feel differently about Dominique Thiem. easy for him to rule out saving some money for the lesser fortunate on the tour. Only argument that their attitude is not as good as his ?? Thats poor judgement on his part I think. He had a very dedicated family to support him all the way. Most players are not that fortunate. Hence he should've restricted himself for speaking out against a great and honourable idea. Anyways - he is history now.

[@hamitolcay5978]

The first and foremost requisite is to make futures and challenger tournaments free of entry charge... Then the ATP should find a way to distribute revenues from TV stations for the top 500 players, both in men's and women's categories...

[@MelodyMaker]

This past fall I attended a Challenger Event. During the week, the corporate box seats at court level were mostly empty and general ticket holders sat uncomfortably in rocking aluminum benches. I suspect they are hoping to grow the event but they are certainly not putting in the practical effort to engage the tennis fan. By the way - a boor by the name of Benoit Paire showed up and likely soured those open minded folks wanting to give tennis a chance.

[@Sweeney-Kubach]

Being a Professional tennis player, means you might have to live in a van down by the river!

[@coffeedude2024]

I think one opportunity for lower ranked players is to start an online business similar to Felix at the tennis brothers and Simon Freund. Both of these guys run a YT channel that is documenting their tennis journey. Felix's YT channel is booming and it's paying for his tennis career with a potential to earn him big £££££ in the future. If you dont have rich parents or a sponsor to fund your early tennis career, doing what Felix and Simon are doing is a viable way to fund your tennis career.

[@peggiamekic7775]

First, when Novak pointed this problem he was mocked and still is by trying to organize players association. Second, it’s matter of choice to make it professional when you can work something else in life and still enjoy amateur game. Third, this tells you how hard is to become top player and stay relevant.

[@deanc2000]

Every other skill or activity that is over populated experiences that same thing right? I mean thousands of thousands of hopeful actors/actresses/models/musicians travel to LA, NYC, London every year to make it rich as the next Michael Jackson/Britney Spears/Jack Nicholson/Whoever. Many of them have to wait tables, become carpenters, in order to just survive. Here's the smart thing, choose a profession that is NOT overpopulated, but still highly sought after.

[@samuel.mcletcjie7312]

It is so complicated and complex that querying the basic structure is a daunting task to say the least.. One thing for sure the climb to the top is an arduous one so if that is your dream be aware of the various routes to get there..

[@SouthOCTennis]

I was 800 ATP and didn’t make much. French and German club tennis helped, but overall I loved it. I now run tennis clubs and make a living with tennis. It’s still the best sport in the world.

[@mavava1]

It's so sad to know that young, talented people play professional tennis hungry. Unfortunately, it's a sport for rich people only.

[@augustofretes]

I love the idea of helping the players trying to make it, but the reality of the world is that they're being subsidized by the top players. Because future and challenger events generally don't sell any tickets, are not watched by anybody, and cost money to organize. I think is worth investing in the lower ranked players, especially the younger players, but effort doesn't pay the bills. It's a spectacle and spectacles only make money if people attend or watch it.

[@Swenser]

A society that allows one man to gain so much wealth for himself is just plain crazy. Imagine if the prize money was spread as if all men and women néeded caring for. In actual fact humans not only are indifferent for other humans but what sets them apart is that they actually go out of their way to harm others.

[@slingshotchicken4695]

It's a SPORT. You can enter or not, you are free to do other things. The winner is worthy of the prize...to the victor go the spoils. Now as far as life when it's not a sport and a tournament, of course, cooperative coexistence is a higher path than what humans currently live. There could indeed be a paradigm shift. As far as a sport and a tournament, well that's just a separate issue. I do support lower-ranked players getting more money though, that would allow lower-ranked players with less cash to rise instead of getting forced out by those with points and cash.

[@oommcc]

You probably will not read this message because I am sure that as soon as you wrote that, you sold your computer and stop paying for internet so that you can distribute your wealth. I am sure.

[@donvito7344]

What is crazy about that? So many people are paying to watch the top guys play. Would it be fair if the tournament hosts keep all the money and the players get nothing, since you wouldn’t see how much the hosts make?

[@iNSANiTi0111]

@Swenser you hit the nail on the head!

[@franciscorabet]

10:13 Sorry @Tennis Plus, but Monte Carlo is not in Switzerland but in the Principality of Monaco in the south of France.

[@markaven5249]

Give them more of the earnings it's criminal!!!

[@Wn9618]

Excellent piece, really well made!

[@terrenceolivido741]

i certainly would not expect anyone below the top 100 to be making money.

[@anybodyhandle]

To 50 they can survive 😂😂😂

[@polokucoch8112]

Novak Djokovic made a big stink about this problem on the world stage a long time ago. He's awesome!

[@Ronakvevo]

Maybe being paid a weekly amount for being ranked 100-500 in the world can help the players have cash to make it to the top 100 where there can be opportunities for sponsors to cover the cost.

[@Deerjason]

But where would that money come from? The top players? You saw how few tennis players supported Djokovic’s initiative.

[@Deerjason]

The only way is for the atp, wta, etc. to unite and negotiate a better television deal. With that extra money, more improvements can be made. However, that will almost never happen in the near future.

[@Ronakvevo]

@@Deerjason it should come from the ATP and WTA who manage the ranking board

[@Deerjason]

@@Ronakvevo they need to make money though. The money has to come from somewhere

[@elvvs6933]

I'll quote a wise man from Quora because im too lazy: "At the ATP Tour (and Challenger) level, the tournaments are actually required to provide hotel rooms for the players. It’s in the ATP/WTA Rules. The tournaments provide one double room for the player (and a guest, which can be a significant other or a coach). Additional rooms have to be covered by the player (at a preferential tournament player rate), as do any incidentals charged to the room. There are some variations in the length of stay that players are entitled to based on the level of the tournament and other factors, but basically, the tournaments have to cover the basic charges involved for the days the player remains in the event, as well as a few days on each side. These stays are booked at the official tournament hotel(s), and the players are required to make reservations for the rooms no less than two weeks in advance, or they sacrifice the free room. Also, some events, like Indian Wells and Miami, offer longer stays and better perks than they are required to, as they like to pamper the players. So basically, during the main tour year, the tournaments provide the basic hotel rooms, but the players (or a handler) still have to make a reservation, and they have to cover any additional rooms needed for their teams at the preferential player rate. But, once players reach a certain level, they often choose to stay at a different hotel of their choosing, or in larger/fancier accommodations at the official hotel(s) at their own expense." TLDR; Players do NOT need to pay for hotel expenses at ATP or WTA tournaments. My grandfather, a high ranking umpire who has been to a multitude of ATP games also gave me proof for this + the players do actually NOT need to pay for food or other essentials at any ATP or often Challengers tournaments.

[@elvvs6933]

I'll add to this: The Flight is always paid by the tournament host as well. ONLY family members and/or coach have to pay for the flight. The players themselves do NOT have to pay for the flight. ++ IM NOT SAYING THAT TENNIS IS NOT A HARSH BUSINESS, IT DEFINETLY IS, ESPECIALLY WHEN U COMPARE THE INCOME OF TENNIS PLAYERS WITH PRO PLAYERS OF OTHER SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL OR (SOCCER(the real football))

[@FlirtForschung]

Don’t forget about sponsorship money, sneaker deals, other brand deals, there is still a lot of money as long as you are actually good

[@rjg7112]

Sounds analogous to the pay of the lowest tier of the Major League Baseball developmental farm system. Top paid players are uber rich, while most professional baseball players get little pay, many as low as a Walmart greeter.

[@HeartInitiation]

The 800th ranked footballer (soccer) would be in one of the top leagues in Europe earning millions.

[@jeanpauljeanpaul2530]

A player at our club in Toronto, managed to qualify for the us open in 2019…he won three rounds which got him a first round evening match with Federer. $55000 US$ supported him for the remainder of the year, but a year later he has literally no money, and lives back in India.

[@SIMOLAMBOTZ]

Nagal...

[@davidmahady8241]

Plays Mickelson tonight he'eeeeees baaaack

[@siyeducation]

It's a shame that the tournament sponsors don't provide some things like at least food & lodging for a weekend.

[@Chocopanda203]

I just thought of it yes tennis is an individual sport, but why not create teams and focus sponsorships on the team and sign up players and give them the necessary facilities. Yes, some players may not perform as well as the others but a loss may not be caused on the team as the better performing players will still bring in sponsorship while giving the the players who didn’t perform as well another chance. Just a thought😊

[@anthonyze]

It’s a simple game. Win games. Make money.

[@nicolasblanc242]

This video keeps showing Rafa and Roger, 2 players who could have helped change the system yet did nothing, too afraid to lose their millions. Dominic thiem criticized the PTPA yet he helped no one.

[@naveed8022]

I think Thiem must have criticised PTPA when he was aTop ranked player. Now that he has lost his ranking and form must have realised about the struggles of lower ranked players. Seems like Karma

[@aldonamartin5092]

@@naveed8022excellent point

[@imalwaysright]

You mention Rafa and Roger, but Novak wasn’t doing anything back then

[@siler22]

Tennis players who are are ranked outside 400 struggle to meet ends indivudual athletes like Swimmers,wrestlers,teakwondist,judoist....wait guys you actually earn money?

[@pvsrod]

LOL exactly!! There are plenty of other sports that earn almost nothing, even at the highest level, why? because no one is paying to watch them, as simple as that, that's just life

[@markvanderwerf8592]

The challenger and future circuit is just so incredibly harsh. Many potentially good players are just better off with other choices as well like college tennis for a nice degree or just sticking to national level. For example in the Netherlands plenty good players purposefully tank their rating so they can play tournaments at one level below national. These local tournaments often draw nicer crowds and winning prize is often around 500 to 1000 euro for typically 4 or 5 matches. I think the whole tournament scene needs a revamp. Nobody cares for or really watches challengers and futures so the money isnt there yet every aspiring pro relies on it. Tennis is really not such a big sport, many people watch it but only the slams and sports like football, basketball etc have way more viewership especially for college and amateur level. Tennis is just not something people follow like they do their local basketball/football team. Most of these events run at a loss if it weren't for the tour.

[@ericfaulk2204]

$15k is almost certainly the size of the total prize pool, not the prize for 1st place.

[@Esoteric_Athlete]

Many players you see come from rich families, many of the players who used to beat them can no longer afford to play

[@sandortoth5269]

In germany there are like 14 or 16 itf tournaments, and there is a german wide travel ticket for 49 euros a month. So travel cost is under 600 euros yearly for unlimited travel within germany. Seems pretty good compared to 1k per tournament.

[@asthmaticrhino]

I've often wondered what instituting a car racing constructor's championship style format where teams, for lack of a better term, field and train players and are awarded based on their point total at the end of the season. It would still be individual, as is car racing, but the funding would largely be determined by the agregate. You'd have to work out eligibility rules and breakdowns, but Ideally you'd incentivize these orgs to have players winning tournaments at every skill level, before they "rank out" of a given classification.

[@vinhluu2154]

F1 for example is very broken. Very few drivers make it while waiting around for years to drive for 10 teams. Once in F1, their chances of winning is 60-80% reliant on how competitive the team's car is. They may need to go for 4 years at a time to even get a chance to win when regulations "officially" changes. And it's even worse in the lower F1 feeder system such as F2, F3, F4, F5.

[@adeadgirl13]

I can't believe that they don't even pay for flights and accomodation to the players they invite to their tournament!

[@chancerobinson5112]

It’s tough when you have a dream and pursue it against your financial self-interest. Also, keep in mind that coming up through the Junior ranks isn’t cheap either. 😊

[@atb7048]

i have a friend who is about 900-1000 ranked atp player. i agree they have to increase the money for these player of atp events, however my friend is making decent money from the local club he is playing at. the club supports him and contracted him as he is the best player in the club by far. what i am saying is these players are not making money just from the atp events. *his expenses are covered too.

[@Mano-z7t]

I always thinking that match fixing in tennis is easier. It’s easy for someone like Roger Federer to pay the opponent to loose. And also it’s easier for the betting companies to fix a match. It will earn them more money to loose than win.

[@gabbamoreno]

10:00 just FYI, Montecarlo is NOT in Switzerland, we don’t claim them and don’t think are planning to invade them any time soon…

[@crashoveryu]

Is there any reason for basically ignoring Novak and everything he has done for tennis players and using Alcaraz video material all the way through the video?

[@веснушки-в9л]

Because tennis fans are biased and they will never acknowledge Novak's achievements

[@TheWinezen]

If Tennis does not unite and protect the survivability of their professional tennis players, the sport will lose out talent to other individual sports like Pickle Ball, Squash, and other sports.

[@gabbar51ngh]

Squash is in Olympics now too. It would definitely grow a lot.

[@christian-jn3vb]

Thats why they rig 99% of their matches and bet against themselves.

[@Fanaro]

Just because everywhere in life wealth is concentrated at the top doesn't mean it should be this way. Not to mention that magnitude changes the nature of things: in Tennis, it's just too much concentration. Plot the sum of prize money vs player ranking and you will see a steep exponential decline.

[@kingarthurusatenniscoach1415]

Play doubles Neal Skupski and Ken Skupski made a living playing doubles.. They have the right mindset and good honest professionals from Liverpool... Liverpool is a soccer city.

[@Planetearthfacts1]

This is really similar to the music business, great video!

[@oommcc]

The music industry is even worse. At least in tennis you have to work hard and have some talent. In music neither applies if you have the right contacts.

[@Planetearthfacts1]

@@oommcc that’s a very true distinction. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@Lucian86]

It's not a distribution problem. As mentioned, hardly anyone watches ITF or challenger tournaments. They simply need to reinvent the game. That's hard because you know who is against that ? Fans who are complaining about this in the first place.

[@oommcc]

Tho I am 46 and a little obese, I just saw a tennis match and I think I could win a lot. I saw that Nadal has an academy. Anyone knows how much it cost for say two weeks in his academy? Do they give you the money back if I dont win Wimbledon or Roland Garros within a year? I think if I was to train for two weeks every day intensively, at least 2 hours per day, quite smoking and eat better with only two or three cheating meals per week, I could win two or three grand slams but I need a little training and to get to know the rules. Anyone knows what to do to sign up to play Roland Garros and Wimbledon? I check their website but couldnt find anyway to sign up as a player. Thanks

[@kevinowsley1602]

The CEO of the apt alone makes $1 million a year in salary, not including bonuses and expenses like a company car. Top heavy, like most companies, who have a bloated executive suite.

[@Ajayi2003]

Actually the winner of a 15k gets 2 thousand dollars. 15k is shared among all the players but the winner gets the most

[@shakirm2807]

Players usually have minimum expense of 12000 dollars a year except the flight and hotels.

[@notayoutuber09]

Its pretty absurd, considering all the sponsors. Someone is skimming off the top, ans not just a little at that

[@duboisstewart8265]

HEY! He said Squash! Love this channel already :D

[@Leejungwoo48]

Can anyone answer if Bernard Tomic or Carol Zhao are making enough currently to even earn a good living? Or if they are even breaking even? Thanks.

[@Morcap]

As the saying goes: "If Tennis was a city no-one would want to live in it."

[@slingshotchicken4695]

I haven't heard that saying nor do I buy into it. As the saying goes, "If you haven't heard of something they say is a saying it's probably not really a saying." There is an old saying though, it's Irish,", "Many a time a man's mouth has gotten his nose broken." Now, that's a saying. It's not directed at you though.

[@joed4027]

Professional tennis players are business owners. Group sport players are employees. Employees get stable income.

[@nicomillhouse]

without sponsors, they basically pay to play until a breakout event, if it even happens

[@lenholloway4390]

They choose to do this, the world would not miss them.

[@zirimeto6508]

You are deeply broken (derogatory)

[@HighWoody]

Tennis just needs more marketing to get players better pay. The pay is reasonable.

[@vidyakanthpechetti639]

To start with, the tournament organizers shall provide Air Tickets / local transportation and food & accommodation for all the players.

[@dereinzigwahreschnitzelmann]

The misconception is to call low ranks and low prize tournaments "professional tennis". Being a professional means making a living with something, and when you're not on a level to make a living then you're an amateur and not a pro.

[@pooolish334]

My question here is: Where was Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (the supposedly called "angels" of the tennis world) when things like these happen. Djokovic (the "bad" guy of the tennis world) was the one out of these three that actually made something happen.

[@SamBrickell]

If playing "professionally" when you aren't good enough to make money playing tennis is a bad idea. Why is it Federer's job to give them money when he isn't the one who told them to play???

[@pooolish334]

@sambrickell9142 It's like saying, "Why donate to charity when it's not our job to pay them" or "Why help the homeless if they can get a job and pay for themselve". Great way of thinking bro 👍, I'm sure the world would be a much, much better place if everyone thinks like that.

[@Nestorhnz]

Tennis players should earn a salary based on their ranking. In the english premier league a part of the earnings for television rights are distributed among the teams. Being the players the main attraction for the fans they could get to an agreement if they push the tornaments... (I'm a ignorant on this subject and tennis in general)

[@MontCoRealtor]

I believe the numbers are 95% of players hardly earn enough to consider themselves in the above average earnings level. Very very very few pros ever make a good loving playing tennis. The goal they have is create a name for themselves so they can teach at local clubs for an extremely high rate. I’ve seen ATP pros charge as much as $250/hr for one on one lessons. Pros are also able to travel to multiple tennis clubs to teach and they typically get the majority of lesson money (as much as 80%) since the clubs make money by promoting an ATP player as a coach. If a platter does 12 lessons a week they can make as much as $2400/wk by teaching

[@slingshotchicken4695]

That works for sure but you said," Very, very, very few pros ever make a good loving.." although you mean to write living instead of loving I would wager that they make A LOT of good loving, it's a PASTIME. They aren't as "lonely" as let's say... a realtor. If there are 100 pros out there cashing in there are probably over 5 million realtors, so yeah, it's an elite thing and there are few on top of that mountain where the air is very thin.

[@MontCoRealtor]

@@slingshotchicken4695 Is your mommy proud that you happened to catch a misspelled word? Good for you. Though any ADULT with HALF AN IQ POINT would have known exactly what I meant. As for the thin air, thankfully as one of the top agents in the Nation I tend to breathe just fine. Now go back to the basement and finish trolling for clout while the adults laugh at you

[@Rophimichel]

So it makes sense economically for players to fix matches…

[@huikh2r]

same for golfers

[@Chris-q7w]

I don't understand for the life of me why this such a controversial thing. It's the same as business. It takes investment and most dont make it. The best rise to the top and benefit. This isn't bad. This is a good thing. It creates the best. It rewards the best.

[@joshuafrimpong244]

What about doubles?

[@avishinka]

I had to leave a comment. It was a fabulous description of sad affairs behind the curtain.

[@jerseyneil1]

Aspiring tennis players need to have a Plan B. Go to college and get a degree while competing in the NCAA. If you are exceptional, go try your luck out on the pro. circuit. If that doesn't work out, one can be a teaching pro at some club or resort. I played tennis for Rutgers. One of the guys on our team got a job and worked for Club Med as a teaching pro. and later settled in as a pro. at a local tennis club. He made a decent living, nothing glamorous, although he said working at Club Med was one of the highlights of his career.

[@panama-canada]

The players are not in it for the money.

[@wittyroark]

ATP ITF & WTA forming 1 organization should be the final aim. Things will fall under place after that

[@sauce1232]

What are the requirement to enter these 25k tournaments?

[@chrislu29]

they will be totally fine. it's just they can't make money from atp tour. they'd get very decent money for teaching tennis / being a coach / running an academy. for sure they won't live a gorgeous life as these top players but it's already amazing enough compared to ordinary people

[@slingshotchicken4695]

If these guys are going to travel to get points, they could use some support. Obviously not from you, but the system could be modified to help the lower-tier pros survive trying to get their ranking up coming out of the gate. it costs a fortune to get those points and those who have them are sitting on a mountain of cass and are holding the points, they may not even be better players. The system should change to make that effort more viable. The teaching option is so far removed from the playing option, they are even different skills, although they are related. Ordinary people (whatever that means) have this picture in their minds of what teaching/being a coach/running an academy is like... and you're right it should be considered amazing relatively speaking. No doubt about it for plenty going that route.