Sergiy Stakhovsky concerned for tennis future, blasts lower-ranked players treatment

Four-time ATP champion Sergiy Stakhovsky posted a lengthy note on his Twitter accounting, pointing at some of the concerns he has for the game and for the future of the sport.

Stakhovsky, ranked at No. 169 in the world, suggested pushing for a season restart was mostly because of financial reasons but added that those most affected by the Tour suspension -- the lower-ranked players -- aren't getting a fair treatment. 

"After long consideration I've decided to write it," Stakhovsky started the note he published on his Twitter account. 

"Don't worry me and my family are OK and the troubling news are not about me but about our sport and the direction we are headed. 

"I don't want to write an essay so for now I will start with two topics that raise my concerns:

"1. US Open main draw singles alternates will be the highest singles ranked doubles player in the US Open doubles draw. (It is a done deal). We can talk about (the) quality of the field, unfairness to players who are just out and would like to fly to New York and try to sign in, but we will not because they've been denied this opportunity.

"2. Roland Garros will be with 96 qualification draw instead of 128 (I think it's a done deal too, I hope I'm wrong). (The) impact on the life's of those 32 players who will be cut out? Tremendous! We are talking about 32 people with families, children, their own needs. 

Stakhovsky 'truly disappointed' in the lower-ranked players representation

"I know that there is a worldwide pandemic going on, and I'm aware that thousands of people are out of their jobs, and millions of people are suffering. But we are talking about competitions which are taking place, which deliver the entertainment and most importantly making profits (and even if this year it's gonna be significantly less, the average of 100mill+ a year in the past)," former world No. 31 Stakhovsky added.

"It's highly selfish to cut the people who are trying to make ends meet. And so you know none of this issues have anything to do with me personally, I'm far out of (the) main draw in (the) US Open and I will be in qualifying for Roland Garros. 

"But I'm truly disappointed on how the lower-ranked players are represented in the structure of tennis. 

"I came around this information today as I'm not a part of the (player) council anymore... But I believe I that had all this information from square one."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34me8wt