Nick Kyrgios, a prominent figure in professional tennis, has taken a significant stance by urging the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) to address the issue of low revenue sharing. This call comes in the wake of a recent comparison that highlighted tennis' lagging position in terms of revenue distribution compared to other major sports.

"Tennis Players Demand Fair Share of Revenue"

Tennis Revenue Disparity: A Comparative Analysis

A recent Instagram post has shed light on the significant disparity in revenue sharing across various major sports. The English Premier League leads with 61% of total revenue going to players, followed closely by the Bundesliga at 53%. The NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB all share around 50% of their revenues with players. In contrast, tennis stands at a dismal 17.5%, placing it last by a wide margin. This comparison shows just how much tennis players are being left behind in terms of financial rewards.For example, the average annual salary in the Premier League is a whopping $3.52 million, while male tennis players in the world's top 1,000 earn only $200,000 on average. This stark difference emphasizes the need for action.

The Role of the PTPA

Kyrgios joined the PTPA in June last year, seeing it as an "amazing initiative" that aims to represent the best interests of all players and promote their well-being. Now, he is urging the organization to take concrete steps to address the revenue issue.The PTPA's website states its mission clearly, and Kyrgios believes it is time for the organization to live up to that promise. He has made it clear that players deserve a fair share of the revenue and that the PTPA has a responsibility to fight for their interests.

The Burden on Tennis Players

Kyrgios has highlighted the heavy financial burden that tennis players face. Unlike in other sports where the governing body subsidizes various expenses, tennis players are responsible for their coaches, travel, parents, and physios. This makes tennis a particularly tough sport, both physically and mentally.As he said in an appearance on 'The Louis Theroux Podcast', "Tennis is a sport where you pay for everything. You subsidize for your coaches, travel, your parents, your physios, whereas most sports, it’s all subsidized by the governing body. Tennis is a tough one. It’s the hardest sport in the world in my opinion."

Needing Djokovic's Mental Toughness

Kyrgios also emphasized the importance of mental toughness in tennis. He believes that players need to be as mentally tough as Novak Djokovic to survive in this "brutal" sport."Mentally, you have to be unbelievably tough, because you’re always traveling, you never settle, you never have any routine. Physically, you have to be an animal, to be someone like Novak Djokovic animal. These guys are some of the most skilful athletes in the world. It’s a brutal sport, it really is," he added.Kyrgios recently credited Djokovic for inspiring him to return to the tour after his injury struggles. And with his upcoming ATP comeback at the 2025 Brisbane International, he is set to continue fighting for the rights of tennis players.