Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are probably the greatest players of all time and they are always ready to help. The Big3 have already pledged a lot of money to help people and hospitals that are struggling with the current Coronavirus pandemic and they are devising a plan on how to help low ranked players that are notoriously struggling with funds.
What’s the problem with low ranked players?
Something is not working 100% in tennis as there is too much disparity in paying between the top “achievers” and the rest of the field. The controversy doesn’t get strength from the fact that the likes of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer do not deserve the prize money earned (they are legends!), but for the fact that players outside the top100 are often struggling too much to make a living.
This opens up a series of problems. First, low ranked players are obviously more at risk of cheating (doping or betting); second, it’s tough for a young player to develop as the only way to make a decent living is to be well inside the top100 and for a prolonged period of time. Jerzy Janowicz didn’t hide the fact that at times he had to sleep in the car as he was struggling with the money.
Patrick Mouratoglou has recently posted a great message stressing the fact that “tennis can’t live only off its elites.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoQkIKsAGTH/
How Djokovic, Nadal, Federer can help
Novak Djokovic is the current President of the ATP Player Council and Federer and Nadal have recently joined him. The Big3 are all aware of the fact that low ranked players need to be helped, and the Serbian came out with a great idea about supporting them.
Djokovic has recently sent an email proposing the following:
“Top 100 Players singles and Top 20 Doubles contribute financially to Player Relief Fund in the following financial chart;
Rankings:
• 50-100 > 5,000$ each
• 20-50 > 10,000$ each . 10-20 > 15,000$ each
• 5-10 > 20,000$ each
• 1-5 > 30,000$ each
• Top 20 doubles > 5,000$ each
• Total amount is 1,050,000M$
– That in addition to similar amount allocated by ATP and hopefully Grand Slams soon give 500,000$ each, should be in total between 4-4,5M$.”
Apparently, the idea is to target players ranked between No. 250 and 700, with $10,000 allocated to each.
Furthermore, the big3 had the idea to redirect 50% of the prize money of the 2020 ATP Finals (if played) to the Player Relief Fund. Novak commented: “Obviously, we don’t know if that event will happen this season. If it doesn’t happen, we should all contribute a significant amount of prize money from Australia in 2021. Not just the three of us, but all the players that are part of the Finals or Australian Open. That way, it’s fair that everyone contributes.”
This @DjokerNole letter to fellow players with the buy-in from Rafa and Roger is truly remarkable. We will be telling our grandkids about the big 3- and some of the stories may even involve tennis… pic.twitter.com/y7DsdUDsAU
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) April 17, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B70-DQAByGH/
Novak Djokovic’s ranking and performance in 2020
Now the world no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 29th of February when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 80th career title.
At present, this year Djokovic has an 18-0 win-loss record. The Serbian has won 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.
Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2020
At the moment ranked no.2, Rafael played his last match on the 29th of February when he defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-2 in the final in Acapulco to win his 85th career title.
This season the Spaniard has a 13-3 win-loss record. Rafael clinched 1 title in Acapulco.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played each other 55 times. The head to head is 29-26 for Djokovic. The last time that they competed against each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-2 7-64 in the final in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney (ATP Cup) on the 12th of January 2020.
In the video as below you can watch the highlights.
Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2020
At the moment ranked no.4, Federer played his last match on the 30th of January when he was overcome by Novak Djokovic 7-61 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open.
Roger Federer’s most significant result of the current season was reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
