ATP Players Council Debating Giving Lucky Losers Portion Of Prize Money

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 20th December 2013

ATP Players Council Debating Giving Lucky Losers Portion Of Prize Money

epa02542714 Kim Clijsters of Belgium bounces the ball in her serve to Alize Cornet of France during their womens singles match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2011. EPA/BARBARA WALTON |

The ATP Players Council has been discussing what would be a radical move, asking first round losers who retire with an injury at the Grand Slams to give up 30% of their prize money to the lucky loser who would have replaced them.

In a conversation with Tennis News Brazil, ATP Player Council member Andre Sa said that the talks are in early stages but that they are serious. He does not believe its ethically correct for a player who qualifies for a Slam based on his ranking six weeks prior to show up and collect a paycheck for over $30,000 if he knows he won’t be able to complete a match.

“Sometimes the [lucky loser] does everything to play even if he’s injured, he pays airfare, hotel , for his coach, everything, and he walks away empty-handed. [The other guy] will play four games and take the money from him,” Sa said.

Sa added that the Council wants to make sure everything is on the up and up and that a guy who knows he is playing hurt and is just there to collect prize money isn’t fully compensated.

He said that the issue would be on the agenda at the player meeting at the 2014 Australian Open .

However, even if the players vote to support the move, the Grand Slams will still have to approve it.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andre Sa, Atp, ATP Players Council, Australian Open, Grand Slams, Tennis, Tennis News, Tennis News Brazil

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tenniswriters says:

December 20, 2013 at 8:19 am

RT @ericsalliot: G; Simon ne doit pas être étranger à ça: vers un % de gains pour le lucky loser en cas d’abandon d’un joueur au 1T
http://…
ten_match says:

December 20, 2013 at 8:26 am

RT @ericsalliot: G; Simon ne doit pas être étranger à ça: vers un % de gains pour le lucky loser en cas d’abandon d’un joueur au 1T
http://…
runinho13 says:

December 20, 2013 at 8:29 am

RT @ericsalliot: G; Simon ne doit pas être étranger à ça: vers un % de gains pour le lucky loser en cas d’abandon d’un joueur au 1T
http://…
Nalby_86 says:

December 21, 2013 at 1:54 am

RT @ericsalliot: G; Simon ne doit pas être étranger à ça: vers un % de gains pour le lucky loser en cas d’abandon d’un joueur au 1T
http://…