ATP’s “Baseline” project – Minimum salary for tennis professionals: Project with upward potential – Sport

With the “Baseline” project, the ATP offers financial support for tennis professionals in the top 250. But there is also criticism.

Since the beginning of the year, a three-year test phase of the “Baseline” project, which was launched by the ATP (see box below), has been running in men’s tennis. The aim is to give players in the top 250 of the world rankings more financial security.

The ATP is also trying to help the players. But the project is not only receiving positive criticism. Marc-Andrea Hülser, number 172 in the world, has already earned over 160,000 dollars in prize money this year. He is also not receiving any support.

The initiative should be extended to the world’s top 500. It’s actually crazy that someone in the world’s top 500 can’t make a living from tennis.

Rémy Bertola earned just under 40,000 dollars. But because he is ranked 287th, they are not from the project. “The initiative should be expanded to the top 500 in the world.” “It’s actually crazy that someone in the top 500 in the world can’t make a living from tennis,” said Bertola.

Hüsler also can’t really get used to it: “I think that the bonus for players outside the top ranks is meager. If you play a little, you’ll reach the amount anyway. Above all, it doesn’t take into account everything else that is deducted.”

SRF expert Michel Kratochvil calculates the costs for an “average player” in a tennis year:

• Training at the home base: 30,000 francs per year
• Life outside of tennis (apartment, food, insurance, etc.): 50,000 francs
• Coach salary on tour for about 20 weeks: 50,000 francs
• Translator & Coach: 90,000 francs

A player must also expect costs of 220,000 francs to be able to play on the tour. In addition, a third or more of the prize money must be deducted for taxes.

But there are things that need to be optimized in the next few years. At the moment, it’s mainly the injured players who are benefiting. It’s certainly not the best program the ATP has ever created.

For Alessandro Greco, head of elite sport at Swiss Tennis, the “Baseline” project still has potential for improvement. “The ATP’s efforts to help players are certainly very positive.” But there are things that need to be optimized in the next few years. The money needs to go to those players who need it. At the moment, it’s mainly the injured players who are benefiting. It’s certainly not the best program the ATP has ever created.”

The reality in tennis is that 99.9 percent of players are on a tight budget and have to think twice about every penny.

The high prize money conceals what the player actually has left at the end. The fact is that most players on the tour are dependent on financial support.

Only the absolute top players don’t have to worry and earn millions thanks to prize money and sponsorship income. “But that’s not the reality in tennis. The reality is that 99.9 percent of players have a tight budget and have to think twice about every franc,” Greco explains.