This is quite a thorny issue and we are really glad to see that there are serious steps to fix it.
The Problem
Tennis is really growing well and there are mind blowing $$$ figures around that are not evenly spread with all stakeholders. The real strugglers are the lower ranked players (let’s say the ones outside the top 100). Actually it does not make sense to try to become a tennis pro as only the top players earns the big bucks and the others are struggling.
Janowicz is a very good example as the new Polish sensation that reached the 2012 final in Bercy, couldn’t play the 2012 Australian Open because he didn’t have the money to finance his trip to Melbourne !!!
The Consequences
This problem prevents people to give it a try to pro tennis so as to dramatically diminish the chances to see new champions. Many attribute the lack of a strong young generation to this problem.
The Solution – Australian Open
It’s clear…. they need to give more money to early losers. The Australian Open is converting ideas to facts by increasing the prize for first-round losers of 32.7% from 2012, 36.6% for second-round losers and 15% for the qualifications (here maybe they had to be more generous). From the forth round-up the prize increase is at a 14% average.
Communication from the Australian Open
“Our motivation is to make a major contribution toward helping ensure professional tennis players can make a decent living,” Australian Open director Craig Tiley said .
“As we have said in the past, it is a real issue and needs to be urgently addressed throughout the sport. That is why the biggest increases are in the earlier rounds, qualifying and doubles which in effect rewards a lot of the lower-ranked players for their achievements which, by the way, should not be undersold.
“To just reach the main draw of a Slam, a professional tennis player has to be among the top 100 in what is one of, if not the most, competitive professional sport in the world. At the same time, we also still want to continue to recognize the incredible drawing power and contribution of the top players.”
Good Stuff!
Last year’s epic final
