Participating in the Tennis Masters is "like hitting the jackpot," according to LE FIGARO. The Tennis Masters in London began on Sunday with the top eight players of '14, plus two substitutes called to fill in on short notice. While it is an important event for the top 8 members, including No. 1 and No. 2 in the world -- Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer -- who will be competing for the spot of the world’s tennis leader this week, the tournament has "another interest, although more modest," for all players participating. The world tennis governing body "generates a lot of money through its sponsors (notably Barclays, which is the title sponsor of the event) and the broadcasters, which impacts the bonuses paid to the players." Replacements, such as Spaniards David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez, are "assured to leave O2 Arena in London with a minimum check" of $85,000. Without having to compete, that is nearly the equivalent of earnings made this year by a player who made it to the third round of the French Open (€72,000) ($89,819). The bonuses "then logically increase based on the results" of the players. From the moment they set foot on the court, a bonus of $155,000 for their participation is granted. Each victory in the round-robin phase (the first round, which consists of three matches) also nets $155,000. Thereafter, the winners of the semifinals receive $475,000 and the final winner of the tournament gets $980,000. At maximum, the Masters winner, "if he wins all his matches (like Novak Djokovic did last year)," can pocket a cool $2.075M, which is nearly the amount Rafael Nadal reported after his victory at the French Open this year (€1.65M) ($2.06M), but less than the check Djokovic received for his Wimbledon victory (€2.24M) ($2.79M). However, the Masters only lasts a week and plays the best of three sets, while the four Majors play the best of five sets over fifteen days. Therefore, "the salary of the sweat is not the same" (LE FIGARO, 11/10).
