To economize on the tournament, the 2021 Miami Open has cut more than half the prize money compared to 2019. The decision prompted John Isner to open resistance against ATP members.
Decidedly, the tournament reduced from 60% to 80% of the prize money of all players and champions, respectively. After that, the 2018 Miami Open champion expressed his frustration on Twitter.
John said that ‘ATP is a broken system’. In addition, he explained that while players suffer cost cutting, ATP executives enjoy a full salary with all benefits. Furthermore, the 35-year-old compared the structure of tennis in a way that was incompatible with other sports.
Now John Isner’s friend and compatriot Reilly Opelka has backed him up with harsher realities. Read more: Following Rafael Nadal’s retirement, Daniil Medvedev will possibly break the dominance of the Big 4 at ATP Rotterdam
First off, 23-year-old Opelka responded to the award-reduction tweet.
In his tweet, he expressed the inequality between the players and the ATP executives. More than that, the young American made Isner’s point about how other sports are more structured.
Additionally, Opelka emphasized that ATP executives should take the same cut as players. “It’s hard for things to change when our board members DO NOT meet terms,” he tweeted.
“Additionally, nearly 50% of our board members would be considered ‘conflicts of interest’ in any other sport or company.”
Hard for things to change when our board members do NOT serve terms.
Also, almost 50% of our board members would be considered “conflicts of interest” in any other sport or company. https://t.co/FEgpUWqTgW — Reilly Opelka (@ReillyOpelka) February 26, 2021
Additionally, Opelka spoke about how the absence of board members affected him at the Cincinnati Masters and US Open last year.
“Not only are they not willing to take a pay cut, they are also unwilling to attend any of our events. I was very surprised that our executives were not present when we reopened at Cincy / NY, ”wrote Opelka.
Not only are they not willing to take a salary cut, but they are also not willing to show up to any of our events. Was really shocked when our execs were not present when we re opened in Cincy/NY https://t.co/VWenEDXabV — Reilly Opelka (@ReillyOpelka) February 26, 2021
In short, the tallest player on the ATP tour took advantage of the Miami Open prize money.
To break even, you will have to win more matches in the week. He tweeted: “If I even go out then it’s a great week for me!”
If I break even then its a big week for me!
https://t.co/VWenEDXabV — Reilly Opelka (@ReillyOpelka) February 25, 2021
Good news for the Miami Open In addition to the cash cut, the 2021 Miami Open will host Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
This Big 3 presence at the same event for the first time since Australia 2020 will draw both crowds and sponsors. Defending Miami Open champion Federer will restart his tennis career in Doha on March 8.
His form will play a key role in understanding how he would fare in Miami. Until then, however, the prize money debate will be at the center of all Florida tennis news. What do you think of the position of Isner and Opelka in front of the ATP?
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