abstract

This paper examines the financial viability of professional tennis careers for players ranked outside the top 100 and evaluates whether institutional reforms can improve economic sustainability. Secondary data indicates that only 2% of professional players earn net profits after annual expenses exceeding $130,000 (Business Standard, 2015). Tennis allocates roughly 17.5% of total revenue to players significantly less than leagues such as the National Basketball Association and National Football League, where collective bargaining secures substantially higher revenue shares (Tennishead, 2025).

In India, under the All India Tennis Association, domestic prize structures mirror global inequality. The financial struggles of Sumit Nagal further illustrate systemic precarity. While initiatives such as the ATP Baseline programme offer limited guarantees, this study argues that meaningful collective bargaining and revenue redistribution advocated by the Professional Tennis Players Association are necessary to ensure long-term financial sustainability for lower-ranked players.