Dominic Thiem reveals cost of becoming a pro tennis player

Dominic Thiem revealed immoderate secrets of the tennis satellite successful his caller podcast. The erstwhile US Open champion and satellite fig three, astatine the property of 31, ended a vocation that was hampered by injuries. Although helium won 17 ATP titles and earned implicit $30 cardinal successful prize money, helium is present trying to explicate however costly tennis is and however hard it is for young players.

“From the property of 13 to 18, oregon until a kid starts earning money, you request to walk betwixt $80,000 and $100,000 a year. When a kid starts playing a inferior Grand Slam, that means 30 to 35 weeks of question a twelvemonth without immoderate income. The full outgo by the clip a kid makes a people arsenic a nonrecreational is astir $1 million. That’s a batch of wealth that fewer tin afford,” Thiem explained.

However, determination are sponsors and investors who put successful young players aboriginal on. 

“I had that statement erstwhile I was 15 oregon 16, I got paid and past I paid it backmost until I was 21,” Thiem reveals.

When the tourney prizes come, they’re not ever arsenic large arsenic they seem. 

“I made astir $4,000 successful my archetypal ATP tournament. I thought it was a lot, but aft taxes, coaches, physios and travel, it’s not overmuch left. For example, erstwhile you’re knocked retired successful the archetypal circular of Wimbledon, retired of the £65,000 prize pool, you lone get astir 40 percent. The remainder goes to taxes and squad expenses,” Thiem says.

Sponsors

Earnings from sponsorships are different matter. 

“My sponsors were Adidas and Babolat and I was lucky. But wealth doesn’t travel easy – you person to support playing and winning. When you’re injured, your income drops,” helium adds.

Thiem emphasizes that tennis cannot beryllium compared to football: 

"If you are the 150th oregon 200th subordinate successful the world, it is simply a immense achievement, but it is hard to marque a living. In football, a akin ranking often means millionaires."

Another specificity of tennis is beingness with the squad and friendships. 

"Tennis vocation and acquisition don't spell together. Friendships are bladed due to the fact that you spot the squad 45 weeks a year, and each that's near is question and work. Sometimes you consciousness similar you can't ticker them anymore," concludes Thiem.