“Half of The Players Will Look For Other Jobs” – Boris Becker on Job Crisis in Tennis

Tennis hasn’t been on air since March 2020 and for some players, it’s a question of their bread and butter. The lowered-ranked professionals, for whom tournament prize money is the only source of income, are struggling to pay their bills. The legendary tennis player Boris Becker has addressed the same matter.

“What are you going to do with those players ranked outside the top hundred, and who need a living. Most tennis players outside the top 50, male or female, need the weekly paycheque,” he said.

“For 30 years, the ATP, the WTA and the ITF have never agreed with each other and only worried about their own tournaments, but now we are in the same boat and struggling,” Boris Becker added.

“It is an opportunity of a lifetime to bring everybody together.. Tennis is one of the few sports that can be held without spectators. It is not ideal, but most players need to make a living. If everything is canceled for the next few months, half of the players will have to look for other jobs.”

The coronavirus pandemic has held up their earnings. Moreover, they do not have access to lucrative sponsorship deals, which can partially take care of their livelihood. Consequently, some of the players are also considering quitting tennis to look for some other job in order to survive.

“If US Open does not happen, rest of the tennis season may be canceled” – Becker 

German legend Becker also spoke about the structure of the tennis calendar in the year 2020. As of now, the tennis season faces an uncertain hiatus. However, some reports are now suggesting that the break will extend further by two weeks. This will mean the circuit will remain shut until the first week of August.

Presently, in New York, a city that is home to the final Slam of the year is tackling nearly 292,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. If the US Open is called off, there’s a good possibility that the entire tennis season will be canceled.

“There is a match on right now, the whole world will watch and television revenue will come in. If I were in charge, I would definitely try and have the US Open. I know the situation is not right in New York and I hope things get better. If the US Open does not happen, the rest of the tennis season may be canceled.”