“Tournament Promoters Also Have to Survive”: Rafael Nadal Calls for Unity

The consequences of the coronavirus outbreak have been deeply felt by the tennis fraternity. Especially it is the lower-ranked players and tournaments that have suffered the most in this tough financial climate. A huge voice in tennis, Rafael Nadal has called for unity among players to help the ailing tournaments during these tough times.

In his post-match press conference at Rolex Paris Masters, Nadal called for unity among players during these tough times.

” We have the notion that tournament promoters also have to survive. If the tournaments don’t do business, there’s no circuit. We’re all rowing in the same direction. It’s a very special year.”

Due to the pandemic, several tournaments had to be postponed or even get canceled. Owing to this stoppage, tournaments were losing sponsors and other financial aids which were necessary to run these tournaments. Several of them ran with an unfavorable model post the pandemic break which in the long run isn’t sustainable. So a solution to help all the tournaments is of utmost need.

Rafael Nadal reveals what the ATP Player Council is doing to help tournaments

Further, Nadal addressed the controversy between the ATP Player Council and Novak Djokovic’s newly formed Professional Tennis Players Association. Nadal reiterated the ATP Player Council is working towards finding what is best for tennis during the pandemic period.

“The atmosphere among the players is good. We are all very aware of the problems and in the Players Council, we have been trying to find the best solutions. A few days ago we had a six-hour meeting.”

Until August the ATP Player Council had the big 3 as one of its important members. Novak Djokovic was the president with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal being the members. But Djokovic decided to leave the council and create a new players’ only body, the PTPA.

This move polarised the tennis world. Many are with the decision owing to less decision making power for the players in the ATP. But Federer and Nadal have opposed the PTPA and called for unity between players in these tough times. Djokovic has been slammed by former players as well for dividing the players during the pandemic.

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