Dojokovic, Federer and Nadal want to help players in difficulty due to coronavirus

The "Big Thre", formed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, is getting organized to come to the aid of the players put in difficulty by the paralysis of world tennis because of the coronavirus pandemic, explained the world N.1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday on social networks. World tennis governing bodies could also help, he said.

"I spoke to Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) a few days ago, we had a long conversation about the near future of tennis, what is going to happen, and in particular how we can contribute and help the low ranking players, who are obviously the most in trouble, "replied Djokovic, interviewed by Swiss Stan Wawrinka on how tennis could help these players, during a live discussion on Instagram Saturday after -midday. "The majority of players ranked between 200, 250th place worldwide, and 700th or 1000th are not supported by their federation, have no sponsors, and are in some way left to their own devices," continued the Serb .

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"At this stage, it seems that there will be between 3 and 4.5 million dollars redistributed to these players", estimated the world N.1, evoking a support fund (Player Relief Fund) to come, and which could be fueled by both ATP, "probably the Grand Slam", and the players.

According to the trade press, Djokovic, as president of the ATP Players' Council, which also includes Federer and Nadal, proposed in a message to the players that the members of the top 100 in singles, and those of the top 20 in duplicate, contribute to this fund, according to their classification (from 30,000 dollars for the top 5 to 5,000 dollars for players between 51st and 100th place). In addition to this million dollars, there would be a similar contribution from ATP.

"Or if we no longer play a tournament this season, maybe we can collectively collect a certain percentage of our prize money at the Australian Open and donate it to this fund"

"ATP is working" on award criteria, said Djoko, who also considered that part of the endowment of "certain tournaments, perhaps Masters (which brings together, in theory, the eight best players of the season in November), may be transferred to this support fund ”, depending on the fate of the season and provided that the players agree. "Or if we no longer play a tournament this season, maybe we can collectively collect a certain percentage of our prize money at the Australian Open and donate it to this fund," he said. .

World tennis has been at a standstill since early March and at least until mid-July, after notably the postponement of Roland-Garros in the fall and the historic cancellation of Wimbledon, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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