The plan will span both tours and be supported by the WTA, ATP, Grand Slams and ITF. The ATP and WTA Tours are closer to finalizing plans for a player relief fund that is scheduled to provide financial aid to 800 players.
According to the AP’s Howard Fendrich, which received a copy of an official email, the WTA and ATP professional tours, the groups that run the four Grand Slam tournaments and the International Tennis Federation are expected to establish eligibility rules that will factor in the players’ rankings and past prize money earnings.
Tennis plans virus-related financial fund: 800 players, $6 million.
by @howardfendrich
https://t.co/bqh5fpAaRf— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) May 4, 2020
They will reportedly offer a total of $6 million dollars, which would amount to $7,500 per player if distributed evenly.
According to the AP, the distribution will be overseen by the WTA and ATP Tours collectively. This marks a significant step forward in the potential union between the two tours. ATP CEO Andrea Gaudenzi has called for unity between the tours on several occasions and the issue gained considerable momentum when Roger Federer tweeted in support of tour unity on April 22. His tweet was met with support from Rafael Nadal and several of the leading voices in women’s tennis.
One of the key points to any deal between the tours would be equal prize money across the board. With players on both tours badly in need of relief, the tours have an opportunity to stand firmly for financial equality.
