The Coronavirus pandemic shutdown the sport six months last year—and many players are still feeling the pinch.
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Some players competing on the Australian Open's blue hard courts this month are operating in the red, says Milos Raonic.
The 2016 Australian Open semifinalist said players and tournaments, which have been contested behind closed doors or with limited fans, are coping with the impact of the pandemic, which has left the tennis economy "a little bit broken."
Raonic, who swept Federico Coria in his AO opener, said tournaments and some players are just trying to stay afloat.
"I think the business side of what's been going on is a little bit broken because the players aren't really making any money, but neither are the tournaments," Raonic said. "It's like, where do we stand? That's not really a business model most people would want to get into."
Tournaments can struggle to cover costs without traditional revenue from ticket sales. The current climate can cause some stars to downsize their support teams and may well make life on the pro circuit an unaffordable venture for some lower-ranked players, Raonic said.
"If you're one of the top guys that's used to traveling with a bit more of a substantial team with you, doesn't matter what you do at the lower events, I think with the way the prize money is, you're going to be at a loss once you consider the expenses of getting there and the accommodations, your team's salaries and so forth," Raonic said when asked if the pandemic could downsize the number of players capable of making a living. "At that point for most people it will be a loss.
"It's also unfortunate because at the early stages when players decide to come, I'm talking about the guys that are 50 to 120, 150 in the world, it's tough because if you're not winning any matches, then you have to provide yourself accommodation in between events, you can't go home necessarily most of the time, or even if you do you might not make it to the next event, all these kind of things it's a very difficult time."
Photo credit: Vince Caligiuri/Tennis Australia