Hewitt: 'Dominic Thiem had a problem with some of the lesser ranked players'

With tennis stopped due to the pandemic, second-tier players are struggling for financial aid. To help athletes further down the rankings, the Players Council chaired by Novak Djokovic has come up with a donation plan at this difficult time. Each of the Top 100 will donate some money to the Player Relief Fund.

However, two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt opposed Djokovic’s idea. “He had a problem with some of the lesser ranked tennis players. That day in and day out aren’t giving 100% of themselves to the sport to maximize their potential. I look at someone who’s worked extremely hard like James Duckworth,” the Australian stated.

“In the last few years, he’s done everything right to give himself the best opportunity to get himself back in the top 100. He’s making no money right now. He’s running at a loss, yet the ATP wants him to potentially donate five or ten thousand dollars to players ranked just outside 100. I don’t think that sits well. I don’t think it’s going to get over the line with a lot of those lesser players,” former World number 1 added.

World No. 3 Dominic Thiem says he won't change his mind despite the public pressure and admits simply there are players he doesn't want to support. "There are many things that bother me. I won't change my mind. There are some players I do not want to support," the Austrian said. "However, some things that I said came across too harsh."

"It's a fact, not only in these current times: There are always people, organisations and animals, who need support more than probably every single sports person." Over the weekend, Thiem said he wouldn't donate $30,000 to player relief fund and added that most lower-ranked players aren't fighting enough.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3c0EnJE