A few days ago, ATP announced a groundbreaking financial initiative for its players. Project “Baseline“ will be rolled out in the next season. It will be first tested in a three-year trial period involving 40-50 players each season. The initiative is the first of its kind in the history of the sport and will be made accessible to the top-ranked players on tour.
The player’s rankings should be in the top 250 on tour to be eligible for minimum income. As the ranks go up, the income increases. If a top 100-ranked player fails to earn a certain amount of prize money, then the ATP will cover the remaining costs to reach the minimum income. Players will also get a minimum amount if they are injured and have played less than nine events in a year. The rankings will determine the limit.
“I believe this could be game-changing for the economics of the tennis player”.
Hear from ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi about Baseline – the ATP’s brand new financial security programme for players 🎾 pic.twitter.com/ItRTWFYzi3
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 23, 2023
Fresh talents also come under this initiative as they will be given a one-time reward upon entering the top 125 for the first time. The initiative has attracted much attention for providing players with financial security. Certain fans and players have not liked the way the plan is structured. Nick Kyrgios has been one of the first players to react to the initiative.
Nick Kyrgios voices dissatisfaction with new ATP initiative
The baseline initiative is yet to roll out but has already found people giving negative responses. Nick Kyrgios has been one of the first players to respond to baseline; he responded on X, saying, “Lol, still not enough.” The main criticism is that players ranked outside the top 250 need financial security the most. They are the ones who earn less but have to play more matches to climb the ranking ladder.
The higher the rank, the more risk you can afford. Lower-ranked players need to travel a lot as events occur in multiple locations worldwide. The travel cost has been a major red flag for tennis players. Baseline has not mentioned travel costs; they provide financial security for the whole earnings. It covers coaching, traveling, and prize money, so the lower-ranked players will still struggle.
Lol still not enough
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) August 23, 2023
While it is undoubtedly a first step, there is a long way to go in figuring out finance for lower-ranked players. Fans have come to support PTPA as Novak Djokovic has spoken about guaranteed income for the players.
Currently, the top-ranked players will have better financial stability in 2024. The lower-ranked players will have to wait longer for the ATP to roll out a new project.
