World No.3, Roger Federer calls for further increase in prize money for the lower-ranked players after battling into the third round of the US Open 2019 on Wednesday.
Roger Federer expressed his views about the ongoing issue of prize money for the “lower-ranked” players in tennis. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is of the opinion that the ATP should emphasize more on increasing the prize money for lower-ranked players than the top-ranked players on the tour.
He said in the post-match press conference, “I think in the beginning it was important when I started and won my first Grand Slam in Australia, I don’t remember what the prize money was. I thought it was around 450,000 maybe for the winner and now we’re at 3.6 (million) maybe.”
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According to the reports, over 34 men on the ATP Tour have earned whopping prize money of more than $1 million so far in the 2019 season. Also, the winner of the US Open 2019 will make $3.85 million. The Swiss Maestro also believes that the ATP has done a fair job to increase the prize money for winners, which is higher than the other sports.
He said, “I think it was important for us just to be able to raise winners’ prize money and come up with that so we can rival also other sports like golf and others so we have higher prize money for the winners.”
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However, the 38-year-old further explained that the higher prize money for the winners has also increased the gap between the first-round loser and the winner.
“That went up very quickly, very drastically, which is great. But then it became too big between the winner and first-round loser. So we have that more organized nowadays. I do believe the challenger players and also maybe qualifying and the second-round loser should get more.” Said Federer.
Roger Federer then suggested that the focus on increasing the prize money should shift from the top level to the lower level on the ATP Tour.
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“So I think if there should be increases it shouldn’t be at the top anymore. I feel like we have reached a pretty good level there. I think that’s going to be what we’re going to fight for,” he added.
The Swiss concluded, “It would be nice if the players could also survive on the challenger tour in the lower ranks and not just at the very top.”
Roger Federer statements come after he was recently re-elected to the ATP Player Council along with Rafael Nadal and Jurgen Melzer. The 38-year-old joined the council following a turbulent year in the politics of the ATP Tour.
The 5-time US Open champion sent Damir Dzumhur packing in the second round of US Open 2019 on Wednesday. He will face Dan Evans or Lucas Pouille in the next round.
