Andy Murray will earn £1.76m if he successfully defends his Wimbledon title in July, but he is very aware that if you win a tournament at the lowest level of the men’s tour you can walk away out of pocket.
Prize money on the third-tier ITF Futures Circuit has not increased since the tour was remodelled 16 years ago.
The cost of living has risen 53% since 1998, yet a winner’s cheque can remain as low as £850.
“I was told once that in the men’s tour you have to be top 160 to be breaking even with prize money”
He thinks the world’s most successful players and tournaments could subsidise the events that nurture the talent of the future.
“We want to make tennis a better sport and we want to make it easier for more players to make a living,” said Murray.
On a recent visit to the West Hants Club in Bournemouth, I discovered 32 players competing for a total prize fund of $10,000 (£5,940).
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