Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are behind a tennis player-fund proposal that aims to help lower-tier players during the coronavirus lockdown.
The proposed fund will operate on a scaled basis, with the top ranked players in the world donating (US) $30,000 each.
After top coach Patrick Mouratoglou highlighted the divide between the elite at the top of the sport and the rest of the aspirant tennis players, Djokovic's plan comes as a welcome relief.
The details of the payment scheme were leaked on Twitter by tennis journalist John Wertheim, with the goal of raising (US) $4-5 million.
This @DjokerNole letter to fellow players with the buy-in from Rafa and Roger is truly remarkable. We will be telling our grandkids about the big 3- and some of the stories may even involve tennis... pic.twitter.com/y7DsdUDsAU
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) April 17, 2020
It is understood the ATP Player council - of which Djokovic is president and Federer and Nadal are members - has signed off on the plan.
Players are hopeful of also receiving up to $500,000 from each of the grand slams, and payments from the ATP and WTA.
Speaking on Sports Sunday on Channel Nine, two-time Australian Open champion Courier said he expects the plan to be passed.
"I think this is going to be approved, from what I'm hearing at the ATP level," he said.
"That'll be slightly over a million US dollars that these players will be taking out of their pockets to give to players ranked from 250 in the world to 700 in the world.
Novak Djokovic's generous player pay proposal will likely be approved at the ATP level.#9SportsSunday | LIVE now on @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/IBu87XYhrh
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) April 19, 2020
"Those are the most vulnerable in the tennis ecosystem.
"Those are the players who live pay check to pay check, and they need it the most."
While the top-ranked players in the world earn a comfortable living, Courier revealed more details about the tough financial situation many others will find themselves in.
"Players who are ranked inside the top 200 of the prizemoney list, they should be viable to be fine for an extended period of time," he said.
"They should have enough money to sustain themselves.
"But once you get below that, then you start to struggle. Then you start to not be able to meet your expenses.
"But once you get past 500 in the world, you're an aspirant. You're not really a professional - you're hoping to be one.
"All of us start without a ranking, so you have to be mindful of that, that every top player started from scratch, so there will be some young players coming up that will be ranked in that region.
"But if you're ranked 500 to 700 in the world, you're losing money in your pursuit of tennis unless you have sponsors or someone like Tennis Australia behind you."
