Australian journalist Andrew Harris exposes Roger Federer about compensation claims

World number 204 Harris labeled the lack of communication and transparency from the “really frustrating” Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) hierarchy and accused its leader of “truly offensive”, “patronizing” and “deaf” behaviors “.

The 26-year-old also targeted elite players such as head of the board of players Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for their lack of effort to support lower-level players, accusing Federer of being “all for the money at the top”.

The ATP tour was thrown into chaos due to the spread of COVID-19, with the expected return to action in tournaments such as the US Open still facing significant uncertainties.

And Harris says there has been a worrying lack of communication with players about the plans for the Grand Slam that will take place between August 31 and September 13.

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Speaking on Podcast Break PointHarris said: “We received a Zoom call three weeks ago, it was the first communication we received from the ATP since the coronavirus hit in March. It was nice that we finally got some communication, but it took too long .

“In Zoom’s call, there were 400 people, all different groups: the first 100 boys, the boys in the Challenger and the boys 400 and below in the Futures. Everyone had their own different interests … He was a little confused with different groups of people who wanted their own things. I left that call getting nothing but other questions and being more frustrated. “

“They said the deadline for the US Open decision was in five days. This was the first communication we had, and they are making a big phone call like that five days later, for the first time, before anyone has even heard. something. It was really frustrating and everyone expressed their concerns. “

Like many players, Harris has relied on waiting for updates on the Internet.

“James (Duckworth) found out on Twitter and I’m the same. It’s pretty ugly … Honestly, I’m just discovering my information online. “

Harris also targeted the head of ATP, the former Italian tennis player Andrea Gaudenzi, accusing him of having rejected the players’ concerns.

“He was quite patronizing over that called Zoom,” said Harris.

“You haven’t been transparent with any of the players. Nobody outside the top 100 knows what’s going on. “

He also accused Gaudenzi of not having taken a pay cut while the tour is closing.

“His justification was because they worked twice as hard.

“He said something like, ‘after a day of work with what I did, I feel like I played a five-set game,’ something like that. I was saying, it’s actually an insult, that as a reason for not taking a pay cut.

“He was a player, so you might think he would have a little more understanding instead of being so deaf in tone.”

Harris joined the ongoing demands for tennis to better distribute the cash prizes so that lower-level players can make a living from the sport, and slammed stars like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for not using their influence. in the Players Council to promote equality.

“The general public has no idea of ​​the discrepancies in the prize pool and the distribution of wealth at the top. There must be a structure where there are more than 100 kids who make a living in a global sport … after that, we’re practically losing money.

“I think we need a system where we can support 300 players in which the 300th best player in the world can earn an income to support himself. It is definitely tilted upwards, but the governing bodies have to do more to help the kids out of the top 100 because there is still a good level outside the top 100. It’s just about getting opportunities and bringing them to pass. to the next level. “

Harris said: “Roger, Rafa and Novak. They have been at the top for so long, they almost forget what it is like to be in these lower positions. I know Federer is all about the top money. He could say in public what people want to hear, which is all about redistributed money to lower level players … but when it comes to voting, his preference is to keep it at the top.

“I think Novak in the top three is pushing the agenda to give money to the lowest levels. (I’m not sure) if that’s enough, but out of those three, I think he’s doing more. It does not affect them so they are not so invested. In the world no. 1 or 2, you’ve done so much. Novak hasn’t even joined Zoom’s call … He’s head of the Players Council and he’s not even on the call, he hasn’t shown his face. There were pictures of him playing football at the same time. It is quite ordinary. “