ATP and WTA set to launch £4.8m relief fund for 800 singles and doubles players – report

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Relief is in sight for tennis players who have been struggling financially due to the enforced break as the ATP and WTA will reportedly launch a $6million (£4.8m) “Player Relief Programme” this week.

Tennis has been on a hiatus since the start of March and players, typically those ranked outside the top 100, whose only source of income is prize money have been hit the hardest.

According to The Associated Press, the relief fund is “aimed at lessening the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic for about 800 singles and doubles players”.

The money is set to be divided equally among men and women and if the $6m is distributed evenly then each player will receive $7,500 (about £6,000).

Besides the ATP and WTA, the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open) as well as the International Tennis Fund will all contribute financially and “establish eligibility rules that will factor in the players’ rankings and past prize money earnings”.

The report adds that “additional funding will come via other sources, including donations from higher-earning players and auctions”.

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