Coronavirus pandemic has weakened the global economy and the current times are worse than The Great Depression in the 1930s. The low-ranked tennis professionals are also impacted by the same, and presently they are unpaid. Novak Djokovic led ATP Player Council have been discussing the matter ever since the tour was suspended.

After working in close cooperation with his rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Player Council’s president Djokovic has come with a settlement plan for the players ranked outside the top-100 rankings.

Contributions by tennis players

Top 100 players singles and Top 20 Doubles will contribute their amount to the Player Relief Fund. That would later remunerate the players. Financial distribution is as follows:

• Players ranked between 50-100 will contribute more than US $5,000 each
• Players ranked between 20-50 will contribute more than US $10,000 each
• Players ranked between 10-20 will contribute more than US $15,000 each
• Players ranked between 5-10 will contribute more than US $20,000 each
• Top five players will contribute more than US $30,000 each
• Top 20 players will contribute more than US $5,000 each

The sum total of the amount contributed by the players is estimated to be more than US $1 million. The Grand Slams and ATP are also expected to donate US $500,000 each. Djokovic also stated that 50% of prize money from ATP Finals 2020 in London will be donated to Player Relief Fund.

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After taking all the contributions into account, ATP will have more than US $4 million to pay the low-ranked players who do not have the leverage of sponsorships or other business ventures.

The low-ranked players should be financially encouraged, especially the young ones. Since they are the future of the sport and they shouldn’t lose motivation during the budding stages of their careers.

Djokovic’s efforts

“I feel we have to send a message to the younger generation that is taking in consideration to be professional players. To show them that they can live out of tennis. Even in the times when there is a pandemic and there is a financial crisis,” Djokovic said.

Read More – Novak Djokovic Vows To Support Lower Ranked Players With New Proposal

Players ranked above 500 are considering to quit tennis and take up other jobs, since the pandemic and suspension of the ATP Tour have hit their livelihood and they are struggling to make ends meet.