Denis Shapovalov has complained that he rarely sees the money he earns from playing tennis. The Canadian, who is ranked 101st in the world and has earned £678,359 this year, has pointed out that much of his earnings are spent on taxes and expenses.
In an argument about tennis players complaining about the gruelling ATP schedule while simultaneously accepting big-money exhibition offers, Shapovalov said the expenses for playing tennis is unlike any other sport.
"Yes but take out taxes, percentages, salaries and expenses we pay. Tennis isn't like other sports where you keep the money you make. There are a lot of costs as a tennis player. Not saying we don't make money, just that we make much more money playing [exhibitions]," Shapovalov wrote.
It comes following a debate prompted by the Australian former player John Millman, who pointed out that players making complaints about the widening tennis calendar often play in lucrative exhibition events.
Shapovalov responded to him by saying: "In my opinion if players would make decent money during the season they wouldn't feel the need to play [exhibitions] in off weeks. Instead, players (aside from maybe top 20) only make decent money 4 times a year (slams). So it's a no-brainer for players to go play [exhibitions] for good cash."
US Open finalist Taylor Fritz also waded into the argument, claiming exhibition matches do not use the same physical and mental energy as ATP tour-level tournaments do.
"I agree that it's tough for the tour to shorten the schedule when players will just play [exhibitions] to fill the time, and I've seen a lot of people criticising some of the players asking for a shorter season because they go and play [exhibitions]," Fritz told Millman.
"I don't understand that part of the argument, because playing an exo vs a tour event aren't comparable to each other in terms of burn out - physically and especially mentally."
Shapovalov's complaints about pay come after tennis player Karue Sell claimed he would make more working in McDonald's than he does by playing tennis. The Brazilian climbed into the ATP's top 300 last week but has made just £15,000 in 2024.
Sell - who also makes money on YouTube - wrote on X: "Today I broke 300 for the first time. Yet I'd make more money working at McDonald's.
"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."
