Picture: Getty
Dominic Thiem has been critical of the plans for an aid fund for lower-tier players. He is thus opposed to the ideas of the “Big 3”.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer recently said they are committed to setting up an aid fund for less well-off professionals.
The trio wants to bring several million together to give the players in the world rankings 250 to 700 $ 10,000 each. The plan is for the top 100 to raise a good $ 1 million individually. Players from the top 5 should donate $ 30,000 each, the following players less. From the professionals in the ranks 50 to 100 and the top 20 in doubles, 5000 dollars will still come.
Dominic Thiem disagrees with his competitor’s idea, as he explains in a Skype interview with “Krone”: “None of the players in the lower ranks have to fight for their lives and starve to death. For example, on the ITF Future Tour I saw players who are not 100 percent committed to sport. Many of them are pretty unprofessional. I don’t understand why I should give them money. »
The Australian Open finalist states: «I would rather donate to people and institutions who really need it. There is no profession in the world where success and a high income were guaranteed at the beginning of your career. None of the top players took anything for granted and was given something for free. We all had to fight our way up in the rankings. »
With his controversial statements, the 26-year-old causes a lot of resentment on social media. Ultimately, Thiem earned $ 8 million in prize money last year, and in the first two months of 2020 he already earned $ 1.7 million. Income from sponsors is not included. Djokovic, who was heavily criticized for his views on vaccinations, also came under fire recently.
The men’s and women’s professional tour has been suspended since mid-March and at least until mid-July.
–
