Andy Murray could lose more than £1M ($1.55M) if he "skips the year end championships to prepare for the Davis Cup final," a move that "could put him into conflict with ATP chiefs," according to Mike Dickson of the London DAILY MAIL. After leading Great Britain to victory over Australia in the semifinals, Murray "cast doubt on whether he would take up his spot" at the O2 Arena for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. If -- "as is expected but not certain" -- the Belgians choose clay as the surface, Murray said that there would "obviously be a question mark" about him playing the O2 Arena, so he could prepare on clay instead. However, if he "simply chose not to play in the eight-man season finale on hard court, for which he has already qualified, he would be in breach of ATP Tour regulations." It is classed as a "mandatory" event. ATP President Chris Kermode said, "Unless we hear otherwise via an official withdrawal, he is still entered to compete at The O2." It would mean Murray forfeiting his year-end payment from the tour bonus pool. If Murray was to play his remaining three tournaments of the year "as originally planned," and stay at world No. 3, that bonus would be £530,000 ($821,900). If he were to end the year ranked No. 2 it would be more like £900,000 ($1.4B). Then there is the "guaranteed fee and potential earnings from the London event." Just participating triggers an automatic £100,000 ($155,000) payment, which goes up to the potential £1.2M ($1.86M) payable to the winner. It will "not endear him to tour authorities either, and in theory there could be a ban, although that is a very remote possibility." They are "unlikely to want a confrontation with one of the circuit's most bankable stars," even in the "unprecedented event" of a no-show (DAILY MAIL, 9/21).
