One player received money from both the minimum guarantee and income protection parts of the plan, which was announced in August 2023. This season was the first of a three-year trial.
“As a professional tennis player, you’re focused on results. Relying on your performance to succeed can be difficult, especially when dealing with setbacks like injuries," said Bernabé Zapata Miralles, who got a minimum guarantee to boost his season's earnings. “We now have the comfort we need to improve, without the pressure of financial uncertainty.”
Based on 2023 year-end rankings and 2024 earnings, the ATP made up the difference for players who didn't reach certain thresholds: $300,000 for the top 100, $150,000 for men ranked from 101 to 175, and $75,000 for those from 176 to 250.
Those figures will rise next season to $200,000 for Nos. 101-175, and $100,000 Nos. 176-250.
Just for the sake of context, year-end No. 1 Jannik Sinner led men's tennis with $16.9 million in prize money in 2024, while No. 100 Federico Coria took home about $590,000, and No. 250 Abdullah Shelbayh earned just under $205,000 in singles.
“We’re giving players the financial support they need to overcome challenges and build a sustainable career," said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, a former player.
Players need to sign up to be considered for the program and the tour hopes more will take part than the more than 100 who did in 2024.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis