Eric Butorac, former doubles player and current director of player relations at the United States Tennis Association (USTA), reminisces about his time playing in the doubles main draw at the United States Open. He fondly remembers the practice courts, though located closer to the subway station than Arthur Ashe Stadium, and sometimes even having to travel off-site to Long Island for longer practice sessions.
Despite the disparities in court accessibility, Butorac never felt disadvantaged. Coming from a small town in Minnesota, he was grateful for the opportunity to be there and didn’t compare himself to others who may have received more. The tennis world has long had a hierarchy, distinguishing top players from the rest. For instance, three-time U.S. Open winner Novak Djokovic is granted the privilege of practicing in Arthur Ashe for an extended time, while lower-ranked players practice outside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Top seeds typically practice and play on premier courts like Ashe, Armstrong, or the Grandstand, giving them a significant advantage. Not only do Ashe and Armstrong have retractable roofs, protecting against rainouts, but practicing on these courts also allows them to be seen by fans from courtside stands.
However, for low-ranked players, doubles specialists, and those who qualify for the tournament, finding quality practice courts can be challenging. Some lesser-known players even arrange practice sessions with bigger names to share the more coveted courts. The disparity in treatment between high-rated players and the rest is evident in other aspects as well. John Millman, who was once ranked No. 33 but is now at No. 326, shared that he received fewer tennis balls to practice with compared to higher-ranked players. High-rated players can also bring in more staff to assist during practice and have priority in booking practice courts, often choosing the preferred morning time slots to finish early. Alizé Cornet, formerly ranked No. 11 but now at No. 65, complained about the discrepancy in ticket allocations for featured court matches versus matches on outside courts.
The disparities become more pronounced at smaller tournaments, where top seeds receive luxurious hotel accommodations and better match times. Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked American male player, acknowledges the slight advantages but believes that those who earn them deserve them. Some players receive perks based on their performance, such as cars for entourages, while others, including their friends and families, rely on tournament shuttle buses. It’s not uncommon for players to stay at tournament hotels, but some top athletes can negotiate deals with upscale hotels for free suites in exchange for promotional appearances or social media mentions. Cameron Norrie, Britain’s top player, humorously mentions receiving free coffee and having his dry-cleaning bill forgiven after his impressive Wimbledon run, despite earning substantial prize money.
Most players agree that rewards based on performance are fair, but it becomes problematic when equal preparation opportunities are denied. Daniel Vallverdu, coach to Grigor Dimitrov, believes that the path to the top should be the same for everyone and that anything influencing preparation and performance should be equal. The USTA is making efforts to provide equal enhancements for all players at the U.S. Open. They offer recovery rooms, nap rooms, red-light therapy, and virtual reality games for players’ comfort. This year, they introduced new initiatives, including an additional free hotel room for coaches or family members, a $600 per diem for players opting for their own housing, and coverage of all meals for players and coaches. They also provide a $1,000 air travel stipend and $150 for airport expenses to all Open participants, along with five free racket stringings per match day. A new app allows competitors to arrange transportation, practice courts, meals, and match tickets, while coaches receive tablets to track match statistics.
According to Eric Butorac, who serves as the director of player relations for the USTA, this program caters to players ranked around No. 70 to 80, ensuring they don’t have to spend any money during the tournament and can take their prize money home. This year, the prize money has also been increased by over 8%, with the singles champions earning $3 million each and first-round losers receiving $81,500. The Open celebrates its 50th anniversary of awarding equal prize money to both men and women. Stan Wawrinka, a former Grand Slam champion, emphasizes that regardless of ranking or court assignment, it is always special to compete in a Grand Slam.
While disparities exist in the tennis world, the USTA is actively working to create a more equitable experience for all players at the U.S. Open.
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