https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-ace-weighs-in-on-world-tennis-player-pay-debate/news-story/e014d31f12fb46cb7b21bd81a6b33b9f IT is tough for JP Smith to weigh in on world tennis’s funding debate. On the one hand he is gracious for the proposed financial sacrifice from some of the sport’s biggest stars. On the other, how do you ask someone else for their hard earned money during such a straining time? World No. 1 Novak Djokovic suggested last month the top 100 players in the world donate income into a coronavirus relief fund to support professional players ranked from 250 to 700 in the world. Townsville player Smith currently ranks 290th and would be a beneficiary of the proposal that has attracted praise from some and widespread criticism from others on the circuit amid the cancellation of tournaments across the globe. Given the individual nature of tennis, Smith said the reality was if a player had nothing to compete for — regardless of their standing — money was not coming to them during the pandemic. While competitions such as the NRL and AFL have contracts that pay athletes to some extent whether they are on the field or not, tennis operated differently and it was too much of an ask to call on his rivals to fork out what they had worked so hard for. “It’s a really fine line to ask people for money and expect them to pay for it. That’s why I think it’s hard to come place, I think it has to come from the organisation like the ATP or Tennis Australia,” Smith said.
“I think if you look at tennis the top players make a lot but you need the challengers and future players because they generate revenue as well through online gambling, live stream, tennis is making money from those matches. “It’s not just the top guys, it goes all the way down. It’s a hard one to put your finger on, if they’re not playing they’re not making money but it’s hard to ask people for their money. "They’ve earned the money, it’s not like it came from a club.” Life off the court started in turbulent fashion for the Townsville product. When the pandemic started rearing its head Smith was in America. Having heard of its severity from friends in Europe he boarded the first plane he could home before border restrictions were enforced. He was not taking any chances. Now back in Townsville he has begun to resume some sort of routine to keep himself prepared for a return to court, while also studying for a degree in sports marketing to keep himself fresh and active. At 31 age often begins to play on the mind of an athlete as to how long they have to keep going. But for Smith there is a more optimistic view he takes. “To be honest I think it gives me more longevity. You don’t get the rest you need when you’re playing tennis, you get a month pre-season but that month you have off you have to keep training,” he said. “I think the toughest part is because we don’t have a definitive date when we’re back playing and the tour restarting. “With a date you can plan for recovery, programs with strength and practising, but because we’re in a bit of limbo it’s hard to do any of that. “(But) the good part is being back in Townsville for a little while now with family and friends, otherwise I would never really get that chance.”
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AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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