“Still No Cut to the Salaries” – Reilly Opelka Takes Swipe at ATP

America’s No.3 Reilly Opelka took a dig at the ATP for not cutting its executives’ salaries, even though the players are unable to earn during the suspension. The tennis tour came to a halt in early March due to the COVID-19 outbreak around the world. Consequently, tennis players are fighting to keep their careers alive while the ATP officials haven’t really been affected.

Reilly Opelka fumes at the situation

Understandably, Opelka feels that the ATP has been disrespectful and indifferent to the plight of the players, especially the lower-ranked ones.

Opelka took to twitter to express his discontent on the matter.

“Two months later and no pay cuts from ATP execs.. and not one ATP player has been paid since pre-Indian Wells.”

Earlier, sports leagues like the NFL, NHL NASCAR, and NBA announced pay cuts for their executives while competitions are on hold because of the coronavirus.

Many lower-level tennis players were dependent on the weekly earnings from the tournaments to make ends meet. Consequently, the players at the lower echelons are struggling to make a living during the global health crisis.

However, the President of the ATP Player Council Novak Djokovic planned a Player Relief Fund program to financially help these lower-ranked players.

The top 100 players, along with the ATP, WTA, ITF, and the boards of all Majors, raised around $6 million. These funds will help support those who are most affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the other players have no way of earning any money right now. Hence, Opelka suggests this step given how the pandemic has caused a huge impact on the complete sport.

Read More: “We Have a Duty of Care to Our Players” – ATP Initiates Productive Plan Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Reilly Opelka is absolutely in the right here. The players are the lifeblood of this sport; if they suffer, the sport suffers.