“It’s Player’s Own Responsibility” – Serbian Player Takes a Dig at Novak Djokovic’s Player Relief Fund

The President of the ATP Player Council, Novak Djokovic, planned a Player Relief Fund along with the seven governing bodies of tennis. The objective of the fund was to financially help the lower-ranked players during the coronavirus pandemic. While the program received widespread support from various stakeholders of the game, some also rejected the proposal.

WTA Players’ Council member Aleksandra Krunic also dismissed the Relief Fund program. Krunic questioned that if the amount distributed among the lower-level professionals is Grand Slam money then it should go to the players who play Slams.

“We all came through this” – Aleksandra Krunic

The lower-ranked players often depend on their weekly earnings from tournaments to make a living. Consequently, these players are struggling to make ends meet during the suspension. However, Krunic believes that these players are responsible for their own financial situation.

“Girls don’t agree that they need to pay 600-700 players. Unanimously. And I agree with this, although I’m always for justice, let’s do the same for everyone. But if Grand Slam is giving money, then, first of all, you want to help people, who play them. If you don’t qualify for the Grand Slams, you don’t earn anything,” Krunic told BTU.

“It turns out that someone in the top 500 will earn more during coronavirus now than he earned in a year. If you have been in the top 500 for a couple of years, if you do not have a coach, you cannot afford it, then, of course, you should expect that you will be in the red. We all went through this,” she added.

Krunic explained that she believes this is also the responsibility of players who themselves understand that such a financial situation is always a possibility.

“We all know what life is outside the top 200. To ask the girls for 30 thousand dollars to help someone, again there will be questions: “Who should I help?”, “And for whom is it?”. One will want to help the 250th, the second – 700, the third – to anyone,” Krunic concluded.

Read More: “It’s Not Mandatory” – Matteo Berrettini Opposes Novak Djokovic’s Player Relief Fund.

Earlier, World No.3 Dominic Thiem had also refused to contribute to the Player Relief Fund proposed by Novak Djokovic, as he believed none of the tennis players are struggling to survive. Moreover, he opined that many of players in the lower echelons are unprofessional. Consequently, he desired to help those who really need it.

Tennis is one of the hardest-hit sport due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, travel restrictions around the world make it difficult for the tennis season to resume soon. The community should unite during these difficult times and help steer the sport through the global crisis.