Roddick on the financial situation of players: 'It's less of a main ATP Tour issue'

In a Skype conversation with Jim Courier, which was broadcasted in the US, Andy Roddick discussed the financial effects of the Tour suspension consequent to the coronavirus pandemic that has frozen all sports activities across the world.

“It's less of a main ATP Tour issue,” the former World No. 1 affirmed, according to Tennis Tour Talk. “The people that are on tour and have been for an extended period of time are probably OK. It is the up and coming guys that are paycheck to paycheck, looking to make it to the next week.”

In fact, many low-ranked players who have just recently entered the professional circuits have lamented their lack of income, while some others - such as Noah Rubin - had been playing for long enough to put aside some money.

Some initiatives have sparked to help players who are struggling in these complicated times, but according to the American, more than that would be needed to fix the issue.

“If only there was a Slam somewhere out there that needed weeks that have been guaranteed to the ATP Tour later in the year,” the 2003 US Open champion added. “Maybe there would be a financial trade-off.”

But with Wimbledon cancelled and the suspension going on until at least July 13, chances of seeing the professional Tour resuming in 2020 are thinning. Already, the WTA Rogers Cup in Montreal has been postponed to 2021, and the ATP and WTA have given themselves until June 1 to decide what will happen to the summer hard court season.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2ylca1q