Joined
·
16,844 Posts
from Eurosport:
Spare a thought for some of today's top tennis stars, who are bemoaning their lack of prize money. Outrageous claim? You decide. James Buddell explains why they're threatening to form a rival circuit to challenge the ATP.
What could be less desirable to the dwindling crowds of professional tennis than spoilt rich superstars, such as Wayne Ferreira and Yevgeny Kafelinkov in the twilight of their careers, insisting they want more prize-money and benefits from the game?
Just like many sports and entertainment businesses, of late the ATP have cut back and the players have endured the brunt of the losses in prize-money reduction and bonus pool and pension contributions.
One prominent official said: “Something has to give and the players aren’t used to giving in.”
Ferreira, with almost £6 million in career prize money and Kafelnikov - who said he would retire after last years Davis Cup final if Russia won -with £15 million in the bank including two tidy Grand Slam purses - are the most vociferous supporters of a breakaway body threatening to form, called the International Men’s Tennis Association (IMTA).
The problems started when it was decided that the ATP chief executive Mark Miles agreed to a £700,000 salary. A £300,000 report into how to improve the sport was commissioned and a board of directors with equal interest in tournament profit and player welfare have also been called to account.
A player-led survey was distributed at January’s Australia Open, with the consensus reportedly being that the players, “are frustrated by poor information from the ATP regarding the business of tennis including prize-money and pension issues.”
ATP Player Council vice president, Todd Woodbridge disagrees. The Australian doubles specialist believes that the wrath is mostly a pot-shot at Miles: “The previous board and council decided what that position was worth so for me that’s a non-issue. It seems like a personal vendetta against Mark.”
Ironically, it's not Kafelnikov or Ferreira that are being hit hardest.
It's the tour journeymen who labour on the satellite and challenger level circuits. Up until last year received bonus money when they beat a top-ranked player. The bonus pool was scrapped as part of the ATP's cost-cutting measures. The men's tour also took a stand against brand names proliferating on players attire, an ethos that hits hardest the unknowns who relied on that sponsorship for travel money.
So what needs to be done?
The ATP desperately needs to improve their branding of the sport and maximise their star players and rivalries through better promotion. More combined events like Miami need to be incorporated into the calendar too.
Women’s tennis, with the Williams sisters often killing suspense, is feeling the pinch too, with sponsors staying away and television ratings down.
COLLISION COURSE
Everything is being closely monitored by the Grand Slam committee, made up of the chairmen of the Grand Slam tournaments of Australia, France, Wimbledon and United States.
While the players want more money, the ATP is still hinting at belt-tightening, possibly cutting out perks such as free hotels and courtesy cars.
Last year the Championships paid out £8,825,000 in prize-money, in addition to daily singles player expenses of £165 towards living costs.
The Grand Slam committee have hinted that the ATP could put its foot down at Wimbledon, knowing that few players would turn their backs on the game's most famed tournament.
Also under threat is the Grand Slam Development Fund which has already invested £30 million in attempting to globalise the game.
If a breakaway circuit for now seems far-fetched, the players' reaction to this month's Grand Slam Committee meeting should provide a clearer indication.
Spare a thought for some of today's top tennis stars, who are bemoaning their lack of prize money. Outrageous claim? You decide. James Buddell explains why they're threatening to form a rival circuit to challenge the ATP.
What could be less desirable to the dwindling crowds of professional tennis than spoilt rich superstars, such as Wayne Ferreira and Yevgeny Kafelinkov in the twilight of their careers, insisting they want more prize-money and benefits from the game?
Just like many sports and entertainment businesses, of late the ATP have cut back and the players have endured the brunt of the losses in prize-money reduction and bonus pool and pension contributions.
One prominent official said: “Something has to give and the players aren’t used to giving in.”
Ferreira, with almost £6 million in career prize money and Kafelnikov - who said he would retire after last years Davis Cup final if Russia won -with £15 million in the bank including two tidy Grand Slam purses - are the most vociferous supporters of a breakaway body threatening to form, called the International Men’s Tennis Association (IMTA).
The problems started when it was decided that the ATP chief executive Mark Miles agreed to a £700,000 salary. A £300,000 report into how to improve the sport was commissioned and a board of directors with equal interest in tournament profit and player welfare have also been called to account.
A player-led survey was distributed at January’s Australia Open, with the consensus reportedly being that the players, “are frustrated by poor information from the ATP regarding the business of tennis including prize-money and pension issues.”
ATP Player Council vice president, Todd Woodbridge disagrees. The Australian doubles specialist believes that the wrath is mostly a pot-shot at Miles: “The previous board and council decided what that position was worth so for me that’s a non-issue. It seems like a personal vendetta against Mark.”
Ironically, it's not Kafelnikov or Ferreira that are being hit hardest.
It's the tour journeymen who labour on the satellite and challenger level circuits. Up until last year received bonus money when they beat a top-ranked player. The bonus pool was scrapped as part of the ATP's cost-cutting measures. The men's tour also took a stand against brand names proliferating on players attire, an ethos that hits hardest the unknowns who relied on that sponsorship for travel money.
So what needs to be done?
The ATP desperately needs to improve their branding of the sport and maximise their star players and rivalries through better promotion. More combined events like Miami need to be incorporated into the calendar too.
Women’s tennis, with the Williams sisters often killing suspense, is feeling the pinch too, with sponsors staying away and television ratings down.
COLLISION COURSE
Everything is being closely monitored by the Grand Slam committee, made up of the chairmen of the Grand Slam tournaments of Australia, France, Wimbledon and United States.
While the players want more money, the ATP is still hinting at belt-tightening, possibly cutting out perks such as free hotels and courtesy cars.
Last year the Championships paid out £8,825,000 in prize-money, in addition to daily singles player expenses of £165 towards living costs.
The Grand Slam committee have hinted that the ATP could put its foot down at Wimbledon, knowing that few players would turn their backs on the game's most famed tournament.
Also under threat is the Grand Slam Development Fund which has already invested £30 million in attempting to globalise the game.
If a breakaway circuit for now seems far-fetched, the players' reaction to this month's Grand Slam Committee meeting should provide a clearer indication.
