£5m fund to help players through crisis

A fund worth almost £5 million has been created by seven of tennis’ major governing bodies to assist players suffering financially from the lack of competition.

The ATP and WTA tours have come together with the International Tennis Federation and the four grand slam tournaments to create the package of support.

With the professional game suspended until at least July 13, and many of the circuit relying on event earnings, up to 800 players have been identified as potential recipients.

The grand slam tournaments – Wimbledon as well as the Australian, French and US Opens – offer the biggest pay days of the year and have played their part in building the fund, which totals six million US Dollars (£4.81m).

The ATP and WTA will take responsibility for distributing the payments, which will be split equally between the respective tours. Prior performance will be an important factor in determining how much an individual is likely to receive.

Meanwhile, WTA chief Steve Simon supports the concept of a merger with the men’s ATP Tour but warned financial disparity would at least initially be a consequence.

Roger Federer ignited calls for the two ruling bodies “to be united and come together as one” in a tweet last month, an idea which has been publicly welcomed by Simon and ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

But WTA chairman and chief executive Simon told the Daily Telegraph: “You certainly can’t go in with those expectations that (financial equality) is immediately there. I think it’s a long-term goal.

“But I think that, by coming together, we are presenting the sport in a way that our fans and our partners and the marketplace will embrace.

“Also, if we were able to get to that stage (of a single merged body), you’d still have a men’s calendar, you’d still have a women’s calendar, you’d still have combined events.

“Not every facility can accommodate a combined field. But over time, if you’re one organisation, you have a lot better chance to resolve.”

Steve Simon: Warning over financial disparity.