Tennis player Karue Sell has expressed frustration over the prize money available to lower-ranked competitors on the ATP tour, urging Novak Djokovic’s Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) to advocate for change. After breaking into the world’s top 300 for the first time in his career, the Brazilian has earned only £18,000 ($25,000) this year.
Sell, who supplements his income by documenting his journey on YouTube, argues that the landscape of tennis has evolved beyond the traditional top 100 rankings, and players ranked further down deserve better financial compensation. Currently ranked 299th following a semi-final appearance at the Las Vegas Challenger event, Sell emphasized that he could potentially earn more working at a fast-food restaurant than on the professional circuit.
“Today I broke into the top 300 for the first time. Yet, I’d make more money working at McDonald’s,” he shared on X, accompanied by a crying-laughing emoji. He continued, “I’m fine because of my online work, but I feel for my peers. The competition is fierce all the way to the 400s—go watch a Challenger. Tennis has outgrown the conventional top 100.”
Sell argued that while players in the top 50 should earn more, it’s crucial that those ranked between 100 and 200 receive better pay as well. “There’s money available; we need to see real change here,” he urged, tagging the PTPA in his post. “Without a union, players have no voice. It’s just ‘shut up and play.’”
He also criticized recent changes in point distribution, stating, “Players now compete for fewer points in Challengers while ATP events have gained points, all done without any notice to players.” Sell pointed out that the situation leaves many players feeling marginalized, noting that even those in the top 100 are underpaid, stating that the 50th-ranked player should be making between two to three million dollars annually.
Sell, who is passionate about the sport, admitted that he wouldn’t recommend a tennis career to aspiring young players due to the financial instability. “I love playing, training, and watching, but as a career, it’s not one I’d recommend to my kids. Players are the product; if we support them, the sport will grow.”
After recently reaching a significant milestone in his career, Sell now focuses on climbing the rankings further. He is set to face Tomas Farjat in the first round of the Antofagasta Challenger today.
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