The French Open has cut its prize money across the board for the 2021 competition due to lower revenue as a result of COVIC-19 protocols. But doubles players took the biggest hit. Prize money for doubles was cut by 23%. Singles players, on the other hand, will see their prize money drop approximately 10%.

Jamie Murray lashed out at the FFT, which runs the French Open for the drop in prize money. He also expressed his displeasure at the official hotel for the tournament, and for allowing only one team member to support the doubles players during the event.

Thanks for actively supporting all players across the tour. 🤗

Ps. Your official hotel for doubles players is absolute toilet. 🚽

Pps. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to bring one team member to support us during the event. 👨‍❤️‍👨 👍 (2/2)

— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) May 25, 2021

Doubles – In a Tough Financial Spot

At major tennis tournaments, singles competitions bring a bulk of the revenues. Most fans don’t watch doubles. Doubles is also rarely shown on TV. Doubles does not bring in enough money on its own to pay the players.

Former British Number 1 Greg Rusdesk took to Twitter to lay out the tough economics for the doubles competition.

If doubles players can prove that tv rights deals, sponsors, & the limited fans who have access are coming in for doubles then argue the case with the numbers, percentages,& facts. Obviously the organisers must have thought about this with regards to prize money distribution.

— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) May 26, 2021

Coaches of top tennis players are under pressure to produce results just like the players. But how much do they make?

A typical coach who travels with a player year-round makes between $100,000 to $150,000 per year. But the contractual arrangement between the coach and the player varies widely.

To align incentives, top players pay their coaches based on results. Top players (think Top 50 in world rankings) pay around 10% of their tournament earnings as salary to their coaches. It can be as high as 15% in some cases where the coach is a former top tennis player himself (eg. Stefan Edberg) or is a highly sought-after coach (eg. Brad Gilbert). The player does not share sponsorship earnings with the coach. Physiotherapists and other staff are paid separately.

In a good year, a top player like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, or Rafael Nadal can win multiple grand slams and Masters titles. A top player’s on-court earnings can sometimes top $10 million a year (a grand slam champion makes $3 million+).  In that case, the coach makes over $1 million dollars.

In some rare cases, the country’s national tennis federation may chip in and pay some or all of the coach’s salary. Players do not share their sponsorship earnings with the coaches.

When it comes to on-court earnings, tennis is a top-loaded sport. Lower ranked players make a fraction of what the Top 10 players earn.

Lower-ranked players pay a flat salary per week or month to their coaches. There may also be an occasional bonus if the player reaches the final or wins the tournament.

Coaches get their travel and accommodation expenses paid for by the players. Some lower-tier players share coaches to save money.