British doubles star Jamie Murray has lashed out at the organizers of 2021 French Open over the significant reduction in prize money for the doubles championship.
In a series of tweets, Jamie, the elder brother of three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray, also slammed the French Tennis Federation over the less-than-ideal hotel arrangements for doubles players.
Jamie Murray says 2021 French Open organizers changed dates to suit themselves
Currently ranked 21st in doubles, Jamie also laid into the organizers for mandating all doubles specialists to bring just one member of their support staff along for the tournament.
While the net prize money for the tournament has been cut from 38 million Euros last year to just over 34 million Euros, it’s the reduction in doubles prize money that has triggered a sense of revulsion in the circuit.
On top of twice moving their event dates to suit themselves, The @FFTennis continues their “we don’t give a ****” mentality by cutting the doubles prize fund by 23%.
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) May 25, 2021(1/2)
The total prize money in doubles has been cut 23% from the tournament’s last edition to just 5.12 million Euros this year, with the winners taking home a check of 580,000 Euros.
Already not amused over the shifting dates of the tournament, Murray labeled the prize money cut to the “we don’t give a **** mentality” of the organizers.
Thanks for actively supporting all players across the tour.
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) May 25, 2021
Ps. Your official hotel for doubles players is absolute toilet.
Pps. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to bring one team member to support us during the event.
(2/2)
“On top of twice moving their event dates to suit themselves, The @FFTennis continues their “we don’t give a ****” mentality by cutting the doubles prize fund by 23%,” Jamie tweeted.
Murray calls the official hotel for doubles players a ‘toilet’
Labeling the designated hotel for doubles players a “toilet,” Jamie said that just one member of the support staff for the entire tournament won’t make it an even more horrific experience for players and hamper their preparation for match days.
“Thanks for actively supporting all players across the Tour (emojis). PS: Your official hotel for doubles players is absolute toilet. PPS: Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to bring one team member to support us during the event (emojis),” he wrote.
Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic had also vented his disgust over the prize money reduction in doubles.
“Disappointed by the FFT disregarding the doubles prize money and cutting them out significantly. They just do however they want. With no regard,” Raonic had tweeted.
While the net prize money for the tournament has been cut from 38 million Euros last year to 34 million Euros, it’s the reduction in doubles prize money that has triggered a sense of revulsion in the circuit.
Even in the run-up to this year’s Australian Open, several players had taken to their social media pages to voice their misgivings over poor quality of food served at designated hotels during the mandatory quarantine stretch.
