Although a capitalist in every sense of the word, I do see merit in the position put forward by Novak Djokovic that a fund be set up for lower ranked players struggling financially during this pandemic. Tennis has always had a pay grade system which has richly rewarded the top achievers while paying first round losers a pittance comparatively. The thing about tennis is that those first round losers are phenomenal tennis players and the game would not be what it is today without them. Some move up and some move down. Few of them have had much to say about the pay disparity because they aspire to win and hope to move up the ranks.
These are not ordinary times and they are forced to the sideline. Dominic Thiem doesn’t like the idea and makes a justifiable point that nothing was handed to him as he fought his way to a number three ranking. He’s young, has come into wealth recently, and has ego pumping through his veins. I can’t blame him for his position.
Sport is social but it’s not socialist. The sought after victory comes with reward. However; context and backdrop can never be fully ignored because the human condition must be rational in its zeal.