The destruction caused by COVID-19 has made it even more certain that the professional tennis players need the protection of a union.
Over the last few years, players and coaches have voiced their desire to change the current system. Novak Djokovic, Vasek Posipisil, and Patrick Mouratoglou have all called for a change.
Now that the tour is on pause, it is important for player’s to have a serious discussion about establishing a union to advocate for all players on the tour.
A union will help players collect a larger share of tournament revenue, improve scheduling, create better playing conditions, and protect the physical and financial well-being of players.
For the value players bring tournaments, they are disproportionately compensated. In most North American leagues, team owners and players evenly split revenues. For example, the NHL and NHLPA have an agreement to split Hockey Related Revenues (HRR) 50-50. In contrast, on tour, players receive only a fraction of the income earned by tournaments. For example, in 2018, U.S. Open generated $350 million in revenue. The total prize money earned by players was $53 million in 2018 and $57 million in 2019.
Additionally, tennis boasts one of the most physically demanding sporting schedules in the world. The 2020 ATP calendar officially commenced on January 3, 2020 and was scheduled to finish on November 29, 2020 in Madrid with the Davis Cup Finals. Similarly, the WTA calendar began on January 6, 2020 and was scheduled to be completed on November 8, 2020. With such a gruelling schedule, which includes travel around the world, players are left with very little time to rest and recover.
Furthermore, for a player on tour to play at their best, they need to surround themselves with coaches and physiotherapists. The player’s team travels with them from tournament to tournament around the world. The expense of their team is borne fully by the players. For top-ranked players, tournament earnings plus sponsorship deals will cover their costs and then some. For lower-ranked players, tournament prize money is not always enough to cover their expenses.
A union can resolve many of these issues and put more power in the hands of players.
Take tournament scheduling as an example. Players don’t have a say on how the tour is scheduled. With COVID-19, at least one tournament so far has taken advantage of the set up. Roland Garros, initially scheduled for May 24, 2020 to June 7, 2020, was forced to postpone the event. The French Tennis Association though, seemingly without any consultation from players or other tournament organizers, rescheduled the tournament for September 20, 2020 to October 4, 2020. As it stands now, Roland Garros would take place one week after the US Open.
A players union, however, can prevent these situations, not only during a pandemic but beyond. Players can collectively take action to boycott tournaments. Alternatively, a union would allow players to proactively work in concert with the ATP, WTA, and ITF to create a more balanced schedule. A balanced schedule can focus on prioritizing the health and well-being of players.
A union will also help create financial stability for all players on tour. The union can fight for a greater cut of tournament revenues. Tournaments like the 4 majors, make millions through gate receipts, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights. However, players see only a percentage of the revenue through tournament winnings. A union will give players a greater ability to fight together for a greater percentage of tournament revenues. Increasing tournament winnings can have a profound difference for players, especially those ranked lower in standings.
Second, through unions, players will be able to have mechanisms to support players when they are not on tour. COVID-19 proves to be the perfect example. As the tour is paused, players are losing “100% of their income”, while Wimbledon, who could insure themselves, recouped $114 million. With a union, players can pool resources together to support all players through these difficult times. Additionally, a union can also install programs to support players through injuries and preparing them for retirement through financial planning and helping players earn degrees for a career after tennis.
A union can also help improve playing conditions. Players are often asked to play in brutal heat, slippery court conditions, and late night matches. During a course of a tournament, tournament directors and chair umpires generally have control over when matches can be played, cancelled, or postponed. Top-ranked players have a greater voice to object to these playing conditions, but are still often subject to them. However, a players union can present a unified voice and allow players to refuse to play in difficult and unsafe playing conditions.
COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, changing the lives of many people. This pause, however, should be a time that players come together and create a unified front. Through this, players can bargain for a greater portion of tournament revenues, better scheduling, and better playing conditions.
A player’s union is the best option to pave a better future for players on the tour.