Matteo Berrettini on Dominic Thiem's side - or not?
The backing for the player fund initiated by Novak Djokovic to support poorly classified professionals is theoretically very well received. In practice, however, Dominic Thiem is not the only one who would rather donate his money to other purposes.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 13, 2020, 07:23 am
It's all a question of interpretation, it seems. Matteo Berrettini, semi-finalist of the 2019 US Open, says the following: "I would prefer to help those who have greater difficulties, such as a hospital or a family with problems, than a tennis player." what Dominic Thiem also meant a few days ago (albeit with the addition that he doubts the professional dedication of some of his colleagues, which does not spur his enthusiasm for donations in this direction).
Berrettini in conversation with ANSA: “There are many players who need help and are in the red. The fund is very positive for tennis and shows that the players take care of poorly classified colleagues. ”Well: If you can trust the information from tennis.com , then the Italian is not one of the players just mentioned: he does not want to deposit the fund.
But what does not prevent an Italian portal ( ubitennis.net ) from shining with the following heading: "Matteo Berrettini supports Djokovic's initiative to support poorly placed players." Yes, what now?
Melzer declares voluntariness
Guido Pella, currently number 35 in the world, would also have to pay 5,000 US dollars into the large aid pot according to Djokovic's proposal. And thankfully waives. The Argentine also thinks the fund is fundamentally a good thing, but: “It is not the same for Djokovic, Nadal or Federer to pay USD 30,000 if they have won more than USD 100 million in prize money. I can't be obliged to contribute if you don't know my financial situation. ”
Pella also has an example (and a counterexample): “There is someone like Cristian Garin. He is 18th in the world rankings because of a good start to the season, but I find it arbitrary that he has to pay so much because of his ranking. And someone like Jack Sock, who is outside the top 100, would get help even though he has already won more than $ 10 million in prize money in his career. ”
In turn, it should be noted that Sock, as far as known, has not made any claim to it. And that Jürgen Melzer pointed out several days ago in the tennisnet podcast "Quiet, please" that no player is obliged to pay into the fund and that who will donate and who will not remain anonymous. In addition, according to Melzer, support for the career prize money would of course be included as a criterion.
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