Monday is the deadline ATP tournaments and players set to resolve a year-long dispute over the amount of prize money awarded by the circuit's top nine events through '18. Without an agreement, the events could set their own prize money levels, potentially creating a significant disparity between the events that are designed as the elite of the global tour. Events like the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., owned by Larry Ellison, would be free to hike its prize money as much as it desires, perhaps even higher than the Grand Slams. The Tour set Dec. 1 as the deadline for a deal, which both sides said they expect to come close to meeting. ATP Player Council President Eric Butorac earlier this month said he expected a deal likely to come down this week, and that it would come somewhere in between the two sides' offers. The players had been seeking a near doubling of the purses over the four years, while the tournaments were offering around a 25% increase. The tournaments paid $36M in prize money this year. ATP Exec Chair & President Chris Kermode confirmed Monday is the pegged due date of a new agreement, though he cautioned things could change. Kermode in an e-mail wrote, "Honestly I'm not sure where we will end up! There have been many twists and turns! And I expect a few more till done!"
