LONDON: The tennis governing bodies have joined forces to support lower-level professionals who are struggling financially during the sport’s shutdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The tennis season was halted in early March due to the pandemic, leaving players in the lower tiers who depend solely on tournament winnings without the chance to earn a living.

The men’s ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs the women’s circuit, suspended all tournaments until mid-July after countries started locking down borders to contain the spread of the flu-like virus which has infected over two million people.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) was also forced to postpone its lower-tier World Tennis Tour.

The plight of the players ranked outside the top 100 in singles prompted all stakeholders, along with the organisers of the four Grand Slams, to step in and devise plans to provide some relief.

While professional tennis players remain independent contractors and not employees, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said he was impressed by the spirit of collaboration.

“I’ve been quite touched by the top players who reached out, the big names expressing really the des­ire of helping the lower-ranked players,” Italian Gaudenzi said in a podcast on Friday. “We’re also working and talking with the Grand Slams about it, they may want to join in the effort...

“In a world where we think greater collaboration among the governing bodies is key, I think it would be a great message if we can all support the players in this crisis.”

Only 250-350 players earned enough to break even.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2020