Lopez fears for future of tennis post covid-19

Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez believes tennis is fighting for survival amid the Covid-19 pandemic and a significant reduction in prize money will be the new reality when the ATP and WTA tours resume.

“We have to understand that tennis is not going to be the same, at least for one, two, three years. I don’t know how long,” Lopez said.

Lopez, who also doubles as tournament director of the Madrid Open, said prize money could be reduced as sponsors struggle to rebuild after the virus.

Feliciano Lopez in action at Wimbledon last year. Photo: Anne Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

“The companies and the sponsors, they might have to fire employees,” Lopez told the BBC.

“This is happening everywhere in the world so the first thing they cut is sponsorship, and this is going to be affecting tennis massively.

“We need to survive this moment and we need to be united. “The players need to understand that it’s going to be a significant reduction in the prize money.

“I see now the scenario where tournaments will survive with a significant reduction in prize money — not only for this year, but also for (the) 2021 season.”

Lopez said he believes the US Open will go ahead despite some reservations.

“I think the US Open know there might be many players that don’t want to go and play there,” he said.

“But I think the US Open is not depending on only the top players playing. My personal opinion is that they are planning to have the event thinking that some of the top players — I don’t know how many — might not play.”

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Halep seething over Swiatek wrist-slap doping penalty

Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…

3 weeks ago

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

1 month ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

1 month ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

1 month ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

1 month ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

2 months ago