Wimbledon was hailed as a “class act” on Friday after the tournament agreed to award £ 10 million in prizes to the 620 players who would have entered the tournament if it had not been canceled.
The All England Club said that based on the world rankings, 224 players who would participate in the qualifications will each receive £ 12,500 while the 256 players who would participate in the main tournaments will receive £ 25,000.
In doubles, it will be £ 6,250, for wheelchair events, the sum would be £ 6,000 per player, with £ 5,000 for quad competitors.
Wimbledon, which was due to organize its finals this weekend, was canceled for the first time since World War II in April due to the coronavirus crisis.
“Just when you thought you couldn’t love @Wimbledon anymore ….” tweeted the British Marcus Willis, who reached the second round in 2016, where he lost to Roger Federer.
Here are some other reactions to Wimbledon’s incredible gesture:
@Wimbledon ???????? Thanks, an extraordinary gesture. You will always be our favorite tournament ❤️????
– Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) 11 July 2020
Fantastic news – always a class act and leader of our sport !! Well done @Wimbledon – can’t wait to go back next year! ???????? https://t.co/BFok5ZSDQI
– Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) July 10, 2020
Incredible @Wimbledon gesture with the players. We appreciate this understanding and generosity in these times of uncertainty. So much back to you. ????????❤️
– Feliciano López (@feliciano_lopez) July 10, 2020
A very generous and thoughtful decision by #Wimbledon to pay cash prizes to the players who would have been admitted to participate in the qualifications or the main draw of the 2020 tournament.
This equates to £ 10 million in total. https://t.co/qalEuJCX8p https://t.co/GCyV1CEfux
– Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) 11 July 2020
Incredible gesture @Wimbledon ???????????????????????? especially for players who need it rn https://t.co/bIJmBGaabC
– Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) July 10, 2020
Incredible gesture @Wimbledon. Players appreciate it so much! See you in 2021.
– John Isner (@JohnIsner) July 10, 2020
Incredible gesture from @Wimbledon today. Their support for us, the players, will mean so much to so many. #AllEnglandClub #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XJPPsZu6C3
– Kyle Edmund (@ kyle8edmund) July 10, 2020
In the event that you lose it, Wimbledon will pay £ 10m in prizes despite canceling 2020 to all qualified competitors, including singles, doubles, wheelchairs. Support the livelihoods of athletes. Class tournament even when it doesn’t happen. Https: //t.co/qMDpL6GB6o
– Nick Harris (@sportingintel) July 10, 2020
A lot of cynicism in our world, but this is a truly remarkable gesture by Wimbledon: despite the cancellation, he will pay a cash prize for the players who would have been eligible to play in the qualifications or in the main draw of the 2020 tournament. 10 million pounds in total https: //t.co/dWauwb9m0G pic.twitter.com/BfUKOtBTVa
– Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) July 10, 2020
Hats off to Wimbledon. Here’s how you take care of your players. US Open should follow instead of pushing this nonsense. We can resume the tour later when conditions are better.
– Lukas Lacko (@lukilacko) July 10, 2020
pure class @ Wimbledon. But we already knew that thanks.
– Alison Riske-Amritraj???????????????? (@ Riske4rewards) July 10, 2020
What a nice gesture @ Wimbledon in these difficult moments. It means the world to us, thank you ???? https://t.co/sF40g23viJ
– Paula Badosa (@paulabadosa) 10 July 2020
Incredible gesture @ Wimbledon, you’ve always been classy. We miss you and we can’t wait for 2021! ???????? https://t.co/TtMQVcWJXh
– Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) 10 July 2020
The biggest tournament in the world @Wimbledon once again shows leadership???????????? # Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/1FlbK4KFcO
– Khaya Sithole (@CoruscaKhaya) 10 July 2020
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