ATP introduces guaranteed minimum earnings for top 250, protection for injured players and investment for players breaking through

Players in the top 250 earning below various thresholds will have their prize money rounded up

Andrea Gaudenzi, atp president

August 22, 2023

It’s a subject that has been discussed for many years but now it seems like it’s becoming a reality. How to ensure that more players can make a living playing tennis.

In a three-year trial, starting in 2024, the ATP is to guarantee players ranked inside the top 250 a minimum level of earnings, based on their ranking. If their prize money does not reach the given threshold at the end of each year, it will be rounded up.

Guaranteed prize money thresholds for base earnings
Top 100: $300,000
100-175: $150,000
176-250: $75,000

The ATP said the base earnings would help players to plan their schedule with more certainty, as well as helping them to invest in coaches and travel, as they look to climb the rankings.

“We’re beyond excited to introduce Baseline,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, the ATP Chairman in an emailed statement from the ATP. “This initiative is a complete shift in the way tennis approaches player finances. It represents our commitment to the players and their careers – fostering an environment where they can thrive and elevate the sport. It is also just the start of what we hope to achieve. Our ambition is to expand this game-changing initiative in the years to come.”

Injury protection and newcomer investment

The Baseline programme also includes help for two other groups of players; injury protection and newcomer investment.

“(For) players who play fewer than nine ATP Tour and Challenger Tour events in a season due to injury, this progressive initiative includes thresholds set at $200,000 (Top 100), $100,000 (101-175) and $50,000 (176-250) in 2024,” the ATP said in an emailed press release.

“This is designed to provide financial security during difficult periods, allowing players to focus on recovery and make a successful return to the game.”

Players breaking through to the top of the game will also be protected, through “Newcomer Investment”.

“These rising stars will have access to $200,000 of funding upon breaking into the top 125 for the first time, paid in advance of the following season and offset against prize money earnings. This will facilitate players’ investment into their teams and resources as they break onto the ATP Tour.”

Level of overall investment unclear

According to the ATP, between 30 and 45 players are expected to benefit from the Baseline programme each season, with eligibility determined based on a range of criteria.

“This includes a player’s ranking, career prize money earnings, and number of events played,” the ATP said. “The 2024-26 trial period will serve as an initial proof of concept, with potential to expand funding in future.”

Just how much investment that will mean for the ATP Tour remains to be seen. Based on the end of year rankings in 2022, the No 100, Alejandro Tabilo, earned $526,079, so would not need his prize money upgrading. The No 176, Otto Virtanen, earned $44,256, so would benefit from a significant upgrade, while the No 250, Matteo Gigante, earned $27,393, so would also be upgraded.

However, the current No 100, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, has already earned $228,749; the current No 175, Marc Polmans, has earned $137,364 and the No 250, Nicolas Kicker, has earned $56,326. With a few months of the season still to go, none of them may need assistance.