World tennis governing bodies have teamed up to raise more than $ 6 million for a player support program designed to help Tennis players who are particularly affected by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tennis Players Relief Program
The seven tennis stakeholders (the ITF, ATP, WTA, Tennis Australia, Federation Francaise de Tennis, All England Club and United States Tennis Association) have issued the following statement regarding the COVID-19 Tennis Players Relief Program.
As part of the initiative, ATP, WTA, the four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, the Championships, Wimbledon and the US Open – and the ITF have come together to demonstrate support for unprecedented players Challenges face the global impact of COVID-19. Professional tennis is currently suspended until July 13, 2020.
In addition to their own contributions, ATP and WTA will manage the financial distribution of the Player Relief program, in which the respective contributions from the four Grand Slam tournaments and the ITF are divided equally between men and women.
The Player Relief program is aimed at a total of around 800 ATP / WTA singles and doubles who need financial support. When participating in the Player Relief program, the ranking of a player and previous prize money is taken into account in accordance with the criteria agreed by all participants.
The step of the seven interest groups forms the financial backbone of the program and offers the opportunity to make further contributions. Initiatives such as auctions, player donations, virtual tennis games and more raised funds provide opportunities to further support the program and are welcomed.
The creation of the player support program is positive evidence of the ability of sport to come together in this time of crisis. We will continue to work together and monitor the support needed across tennis to ensure the long-term health of sport amid this unprecedented lifestyle challenge, and our thoughts remain with all concerned at this stage.
