Week 10 - ITF W15 - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Hard

the addict · Tennis legend

Week 10 - ITF W15 - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt Hard

Peter too · Tennis legend

the addict wrote:
$20k is certainly possible if you are succesful at that level, but Emilie didn't win many matches in the first part of last year so didn't get anywhere near that. A quick addition of her singles and doubles prize money on the WTA website suggests she won just over $9k

Last year certainly would have left her short, without an alternative source of income. This year looks better with two QFs and a F.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Peter too wrote:
It looks as if someone good enough to be seeded in a W15 could earn around $20K a year playing regularly. That might be enough to rent a small flat and buy food locally if costs are low in one of the locations that have regular tournaments, like Sharm, Antalya or Monastir.

I know a couple of players who are also ad-hoc hotel tennis coaches in a couple of these sort of resorts. It's relatively easy money - the more well-off guests also give tips, if you're good with kids you also get to teach their kids too, which is a nice ticket as the parents are thrilled that (a) their kid is doing a bit of sport and (b) it's sort of enforced babysitting - suits everyone.

Strongbow · All-time great

I love kids - but I couldn't eat a whole one. wink

HarryGem · Club Coach

the addict wrote:
$20k is certainly possible if you are succesful at that level, but Emilie didn't win many matches in the first part of last year so didn't get anywhere near that. A quick addition of her singles and doubles prize money on the WTA website suggests she won just over $9k

$20k is approximately 16500 UK pounds. Even given the cheaper cost of living in places like Egypt I can't really see that being enough to get by on. There will presumably be some tax to come off that figure too plus entry fees, travelling costs/ food and accommodation. In the past you could pitch up somewhere and play tournament after tournament but at some point you going to have to travel. Then there's the winter when there are fewer competitions.

I seem to recall an article in the past basically stating that unless you were a top 200 (maybe 300) player you couldn't make a living from just playing tennis.

Peter too · Tennis legend

HarryGem wrote:
the addict wrote:
$20k is certainly possible if you are succesful at that level, but Emilie didn't win many matches in the first part of last year so didn't get anywhere near that. A quick addition of her singles and doubles prize money on the WTA website suggests she won just over $9k
$20k is approximately 16500 UK pounds. Even given the cheaper cost of living in places like Egypt I can't really see that being enough to get by on. There will presumably be some tax to come off that figure too plus entry fees, travelling costs/ food and accommodation. In the past you could pitch up somewhere and play tournament after tournament but at some point you going to have to travel. Then there's the winter when there are fewer competitions.
I seem to recall an article in the past basically stating that unless you were a top 200 (maybe 300) player you couldn't make a living from just playing tennis.
I think it was even higher than that, something like 120 in the world to make a living off prize money. However that would be if you were travelling every week from hotel to hotel. There is the alternative which I suggested and wondered if it would be viable, i.e., staying in one place and living low cost like a native. I thought it might just be possible now there are locations that organise weekly events. It would certainly be the most cost effective way of playing lots of tennis against different players. Though there will always be a few doing the same as you that you may end up playing more than once.