Tennis star Karue Sell has hit out at the prize money available to lower-ranked players on the ATP tour and called on Novak Djokovic’s union to demand ‘change’. The Brazilian has broken into the world’s top 300 for the first time in his career but has earned only £18,000 ($25,000) this year.
Sell, who also earns an income through documenting his career on YouTube, insists tennis has outgrown the traditional top 100 and players further down the ATP leaderboard deserve better pay.
The 30-year-old is now ranked 299th in the world after reaching the semi-final at the Las Vegas challenger event last week. But he has claimed he could earn more by packing in his tennis career for a role at McDonald’s and wants the Djokovic-founded Professional Tennis Players’ Association to step in.
“Today I broke 300 for the first time. Yet I’d make more money working at McDonald’s,” he wrote on X alongside a crying-laughing emoji.
I’m ok because of my online work but I feel for my peers. The level is so high now all the way to 400 (at least), go watch a challenger. Tennis outgrew the conventional top 100.
Not saying players need to make millions but they are being robbed across the board. Top 50 should make more, 100, 150, 200. There’s money. Would love to see some real change here @ptpaplayers. Without a union players have no say. Just shut up and play.
“Starts with the fact that players now compete for fewer points in challengers while ATPs gained points. It was done without any notice to players. Here is an email, now go f- yourself.
[By the way] I believe guys in the top 100 (not like 25) are underpaid too. Guy 50 should be making two to three million [dollars] a year. Top top guys don’t need but the middle pack needs more too.”Sell said he would not recommend tennis as a career to aspiring young players. He concluded: “I love playing, training, watching. But as a career it’s not one I’d recommend to my kids. I’m for the players as players are the product. Help the players and the product will grow.”
Having climbed into the top 300, Sell will be hoping to rise up the rankings even further. He faces Tomas Farjat in the first round of the Antofagasta challenger today (Tuesday).
