Iconic Greek tennis personalities, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Patrick Mouratoglou, have launched the “Beyond 100 Support” auction platform to support tennis players ranked outside the world’s top 100.
The Greek-French Serena Williams coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, released an open letter last week to raise awareness about the financial condition of tennis players ranked outside the top 100.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the youngest player in the top-10 of the ATP world rankings, admired Mouratoglou’s call to action and reached out to the coach to make this idea a reality.
“As the youngest player in the top 10, I feel responsible to help the future of tennis,” Tsitsipas says in a statement released on Thursday.
“I understand how critical it is for the sustainability of both ATP and WTA players ranked beyond the top 100 and how difficult it is to make a living from professional tennis, especially with no tennis events going on for an undefined period of time.”
The “Beyond 100 Support” fundraiser is an auction platform with the goal to support players beyond the top 100, both in the ATP and WTA rankings. Funds raised through the “Beyond 100 Support” platform will contribute towards a broader approach by the ATP and WTA aimed at supporting lower ranked players during this challenging period.
Patrick Mouratoglou recognises the detrimental impact competition cancellation can have on low-ranked players, potentially forcing the ending of their careers.
“The situation of players ranked beyond the top 100 is becoming more and more worrying as they might not be able to pursue their careers — their passions — if the current health crisis were to last for too long,” Mr Mouratoglou says.
The public can offer a flat contribution, starting at $1, and there are also a number of items up for silent auction.
Among them are a one-hour coaching session with Mouratoglou, ATP Finals tickets and hospitality packages, Coco Gauff’s New Balance shoes, and several items of Tsitsipas’ own tennis gear.
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