This was something i was thinking about the other day, prior to seeing the recent post on ITF prizemoney increases.

The ATP should priotitize getting together and petitioning all the Grand Slams to contubute a small fixed % of their earnings to help fund Challenger level tournaments. Because the GS's have the money, and the sport they benefit from needs their support.   

Along with this is to restructure ATP lower level tournaments. Scrap having Chellenger 25k, 50k etc where the prize money determines the tournament title. Challengers become ATP 20, ATP 40, ATP 80 or whatever, where the numbers are linked to the points for winning it. This way, the prize money can be adjusted more fluidly and adds more continuity. And of course, give these tournaments significantly increased prizemoney from how things are currently.

If a tournament can come up with 50% of the money required to stage it, ATP will provide the other 50% from the fund they receive from the Grandslams. Simply put, the Grandslams need to do more then just incrementally increasing the amoun they give out at their tournaments. I heard Wimbledon gives out only 14% or so of its revenue as prizemoney. Imagine what could be done if they all gave just 3% each to help fund lower level tournaments.

Otherwise it becomes increasingly harder for kids who aren't from wealthy families to emerge, and kills diversity and competetiveness. If tennis is to be seen as an inclusive sport for everyone, then it needs to push hard reverse its current direction. If it wants to maintain its upper middle class gentlemanly air and public perception for being a rich person's sport, then fine, carry on with this path.

If the amount of money in Challengers continues to stagnate, then on a long enough timeline, someone will win a tournament, go buy a coffee out of the vending machine and find they have just spenf all their winnings. The money needs to come from somewhere and it's the Grandslams who possess it. So charm them , play hardball, whatever works. But then need to get the money out of them.

Edit: Typo's