In a groundbreaking move aimed at ensuring the financial stability of its players, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has unveiled its “Baseline” program, scheduled for a three-year trial beginning in 2024. This initiative marks a significant shift in the world of men’s tennis by introducing a guaranteed minimum wage for players.
Under the “Baseline” program, the ATP will extend a safety net to the top 250-ranked singles players each season, pledging to cover any earnings deficit that falls below a specified threshold. The aim is to provide players with a minimum income that offers greater security and allows them to focus on their game and long-term planning.
The specified minimum income levels for 2024 are as follows: $300,000 for players ranked in the top 100, $150,000 for those ranked 101st to 175th, and $75,000 for players positioned between 176th and 250th in the global rankings.
It is anticipated that the ATP will provide financial support to approximately 30 to 45 players who meet the criteria outlined in the program. Beyond securing a minimum wage, the initiative will also extend financial coverage to include expenses related to coaches, personal physiotherapists, and travel costs.
For many players, particularly those outside the top echelons of the rankings, tournament earnings have long constituted the primary source of income. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the financial vulnerability of lower-ranked players when the tennis season was suspended. In response to these challenges, leading figures in the sport, such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, called for measures to address the issue.
Moreover, the ATP is committed to supporting players who, due to injury, participate in fewer than nine ATP Tour and Challenger Tour events in a season. The injury protection initiative, a complementary facet of the “Baseline” program, ensures that players who face such challenges are not left without a safety net.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, who was re-elected for a second term in June, expressed the transformative impact of the “Baseline” program. He characterized it as a “total shift” in the way player finances are approached, reflecting the ATP’s dedication to fostering an environment where players can not only sustain their careers but also excel. Gaudenzi emphasized that this program is only the beginning of the ATP’s broader ambitions to drive further positive changes in the sport in the coming years.
