Jim Courier predicts tournament prize money will be reduced

Former world No. 1 Jim Courier thinks tournament prize money will be reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown but insists that isn't the most important thing right now. 

The ATP and WTA further extended the suspension of the men's and women's professional tours until at least July 13 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Several players have publicly stayed they wouldn't be surprised if the whole season got eventually called off.

The ATP and WTA have given themselves until June 1 to decide what to do with the summer hard-court season but the situation will have to drastically improve in order to resume season on July 13.

"I absolutely do think that's a real possibility. I think that all things are on the table right now. I think just getting back into tournaments tennis... The players have already shown their willingness in and out to the last couple of days try to be generous and they gave recognized the gravity of the situation," Courier told Wide World of Sports - Nine.

"So for now it's about trying to get the train back on the track, once it's viable, once it's safe, make sure that everyone can participate and then go from there. 

"But I don't think that the prize money levels are going to be focus in the near term. I think it's just just sort of getting back going and then from there the business of tennis can start to resume, hopefully normalcy with the rest of the business world as we come back into focus."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3cAPV6o