Paris (AFP)

The "Big Three", formed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, is organizing to come to the aid of the players put in difficulty by the paralysis of world tennis because of the coronavirus pandemic, explained the world N.1 Novak Djokovic on Saturday on social networks.

Its governing bodies could also contribute.

"I spoke to Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) a few days ago, we had a long conversation about the near future of tennis, what is going to happen, and in particular how we can contribute and help the lower ranked players, who are the most in trouble, "replied Djokovic, interviewed by Swiss Stan Wawrinka about how tennis could help these players, during a live discussion on Instagram Saturday afternoon. midday.

"The majority of players ranked between the 200th or 250th place worldwide, and the 700th or 1000th are not supported by their federation, have no sponsors, and are in some way left to their own devices," continues the Serb.

"At this point, it looks like there will be between $ 3 and $ 4.5 million redistributed to these players," he said, referring to an upcoming Player Relief Fund, which could be powered by both ATP, "probably the Grand Slam", and the players.

According to the trade press, Djokovic, as president of the Players' Council, and in agreement with Federer and Nadal, proposed in a message to all the players that the members of the top 100 in singles, and those of the top 20 in duplicate, contribute to this fund, according to their classification (from 30,000 dollars for the top 5 to 5,000 dollars from 51st place).

In addition to this million dollars, a similar contribution from ATP would be added.

"ATP is working" on award criteria, specifies "Djoko".

- "Lots of question marks" -

"We are going to try to do something to help the players who need it most," only said circuit chairman Italian Andrea Gaudenzi in an ATP radio interview published on Friday.

If he said he was "very touched by the fact that the big names express their desire to help the lower ranked players", "the difficulty is (...) that the reserves and resources of the 'ATP is not infinite,' he added.

"We depend on the tournaments being played and we don't know when" the circuit will start again, added Gaudenzi.

Djokovic also envisaged that part of the endowment of "certain tournaments, perhaps Masters (which brings together, in theory, the eight best players of the season in November), could be transferred to this support fund", in function of becoming of the season and with the agreement of the players.

"Or if we don't play any more tournaments this season, maybe we can collectively donate a certain percentage of our prize money to the Australian Open to this fund," he still imagines.

"These players are the basis of tennis, its future. We must be united, show them that we do not forget them," he said.

What about the fate of tennis in the midst of a pandemic? "There are a lot of question marks. The disadvantage compared to organized sports at the national level is that we have to travel week after week from one country to another, from one continent to the other ", notes the world N.1.

"Maybe we have to consider other concepts, like playing by geographic areas, in Europe, in the United States, he thinks. I hope that we will not get there, but if this coronavirus crisis s "Worse still, I fear we will have to find solutions, because players ranked between the 250th and 700th places in the world are thinking of stopping tennis right now."

World tennis has been at a standstill since early March and at least until mid-July, after notably the postponement of Roland-Garros in the fall and the historic cancellation of Wimbledon.

© 2020 AFP