Karue Sell achieved a special milestone this Monday but it is safe to say he didn't celebrate too much as the Brazilian tennis player ripped the money that is being distributed to the lower-tier tournaments and even asked Novak Djokovic for help because he thinks McDonald's workers earn more than players in his position.
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The Brazilian, who will be turning 31 in November, broke into the top-300 for the first time this Monday after reaching the Las Vegas Challenger semifinal last week. But before doing well in Sin City, the 30-year-old spent the majority of his time this season playing on the ITF level where he won two titles and had several other deep runs.
But doing consistently well in those tournaments hasn't made Sell a fortune as he has netted only $25k in prize money this year. Overall, he has earned only $61k from playing tennis over the course of his career. However, the Brazilian has another source of income as he vlogs about his tennis career on YouTube and earns some money there.
Today I broke 300 for the first time. Yet I'd make more money working at McDonald's (laughing emoji). I'm ok because of my online work but I feel for my peers. The level is so high now all the way to 400 (at least), go watch a challenger. Tennis outgrew the conventional top 100," Sell wrote on X.
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Sell asks Djokovic's PTPA for help
When the record 24-time Grand Slam champion launched the PTPA a couple of years ago, he instantly highlighted that he believed players needed a strong union and someone who would fight for them to ensure better rights and conditions across the Tour. At the time, the Serb underlined that one of the things his organization would focus on was making sure lower-ranked players had better conditions and a better chance at making a living from competing on the Challenger and ITF levels.
While making his point on X, the world No. 299 tagged the PTPA and pleaded for help.
"Not saying players need to make millions but they are being robbed across the board. Top 50 should make more, 100, 150, 200. There's money. Would love to see some real change here @ptpaplayers. Without a union players have no say. Just shut up and play," Sell wrote.
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Starts with the fact that players now compete for fewer points in challengers while ATPs gained points. It was done without any notice to players. Here is an email, now go (expletive) yourself."
Over the years, there have been cases of players saying that only the top-100 can make a good living. While the Brazilian agrees there's solid money there, he believes that it can be much better.
[By the way] I believe guys in the top 100 (not like 25) are underpaid too. Guy 50 should be making two to three million [dollars] a year. Top top guys don't need but the middle pack needs more too," he added.
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Sell: I wouldn't recommend this sport to my kids
Shortly after the 30-year-old offered some harsh words on the conditions of the lower-tier ATP events, it started gaining attention and responses from people. And with that being said, he felt the need to say one thing - he loves tennis but just wouldn't want his kid to play the sport if some things remained as they were now.
Since this thread is growing, I just want to say I love the sport. I love playing, training, watching. But as a career it's not one I'd recommend to my kids. I'm for the players as players are the product. Help the players and the product will grow," Sell said.
Meanwhile, here is what Djokovic said on the matter last year.
We are the third or fourth most globally watched sports. [About] 1.3 billion people watch it, yet we cant have [only] more than 400 people living from this sport, both men and women. I think we have to put that in our mind and really think about whether this sport is doing great or not. The top of the game is doing well, of course. Cant complain for myself. But Im speaking on behalf of all the lower-ranked players who struggle to make a living. I think this is the main goal [to help them], said Djokovic, winner of a record 22 Grand Slam titles," Djokovic said in 2023 March.
