A revolution, no less. The Association of Professional Tennis Players (ATP) announced on Tuesday August 22 the establishment of a minimum income for the 250 best players in the world from next year. Its amount will depend on their ranking and will operate according to the principle of a supplement on the winnings obtained in tournaments. The ATP will supplement the income of players in the Top 100 to the tune of $300.000, up to $150.000 for those ranked between 101st and 175th places, and finally $75.000 for those ranked up to 250th place. With this system, tennis professionals will be assured of a minimum income for each season on the circuit. As a bonus, the association will provide financial assistance to players who, due to injury and a prolonged absence, would not be able to play at least nine tournaments in a season on the ATP or Challenger circuits. This aid will also be linked to the player's ranking: $200.000 for a member of the world Top 100, then $100.000 (101/175), and $50.000 (176/250). Finally, the latest innovation announced by the ATP as part of this program called Baseline: an advance on winnings for players who enter the Top 125 for the first time. They will amount to $200.000, a sum paid in advance of the following season and then reimbursed by tournament winnings. Comment from Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, member of the ATP Players Advisory Council: “ This program will change everything. With such a safety net, through a guaranteed minimum and insurance in the event of injury, we will have greater peace of mind and can concentrate on our game.”
