Here Is How Much Money I Lost Playing 1 Season Of Pro Tennis - Top 300 In The World

Summary

In this candid video, professional tennis player Kus Cell shares the financial realities of playing at the ATP level. Despite being ranked 259 in the world, Kus reveals that the cost of competing professionally far exceeds his prize money, leading to a significant financial loss. He discusses the challenges of covering travel, accommodation, and other expenses, and how his side income from YouTube and sponsorships helps sustain his career. Kus also touches on the financial struggles faced by lower-ranked players and the importance of alternative income streams to make tennis a viable profession.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kus Cell broke into the ATP top 300 rankings for the first time in 2024 and revealed how much it costs to compete at the professional level in tennis.
• 💸 The total cost of Kus Cell's season to play professional tennis in 2024 was $339,100, while his prize money earned was just $38,500 after taxes, leaving him $112,000 in the red.
• ✈️ The main expenses for a pro tennis player include airfare, transportation, hotels, food, stringing fees, and incidentals, with stringing alone costing over $3,500 in 2024.
• 🏅 In lower-level tournaments like ITF Futures, players can only earn up to $3,600 per event if they win, and these events don’t cover hotel or transportation costs.
• 🏆 ATP Challengers offer slightly better financial support, including some hotel accommodations for main draw players, but still require players to cover most of the costs themselves.
• 💵 Kus highlights that the cost of a full season of professional tennis is significantly higher than the prize money, with most lower-ranked players operating at a loss without additional income sources.
• 🎥 Kus Cell’s YouTube channel helps support his career through ad revenue, affiliate programs, licensing deals, and sponsorships, with the sponsorships providing the largest portion of his earnings.
• 🔴 Kus has never been paid by major tennis brands, such as Lacoste or Yonex, despite receiving free products from them. His main sponsorships come from non-tennis brands.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Mental health support is also important for pro athletes, with Kus promoting BetterHelp as a platform that makes therapy accessible to athletes dealing with the pressures of their careers.
• 💡 Kus advises aspiring players to consider college tennis over going directly into professional tennis, given the financial advantages of college sports, such as scholarships and potential earnings from competitions.

Q & A

How much did it cost to play a full season of professional tennis in 2024?

It cost approximately $339,100 to play a full season of professional tennis in 2024.

What was the total prize money earned for the year?

The total prize money earned for the year was $38,500, but after taxes (around 30%), it was reduced to about $26,631.

What are the main expenses for a professional tennis player?

The main expenses include airfare, transportation, hotels, food, and other incidentals. For example, $3,500 was spent on stringing fees alone.

Do lower-level tennis tournaments cover any expenses?

In ITF Futures events, expenses like hotels and transportation are not covered, and all costs must be paid out-of-pocket by the player. However, ATP Challengers offer some hotel accommodations for main draw players.

How does traveling without a coach affect costs?

Traveling without a coach helps reduce costs significantly. With a coach, expenses can quickly rise into the six figures due to additional travel, accommodation, and living costs.

What financial role does YouTube play in supporting a professional tennis career?

YouTube earnings support the tennis career through ad revenue, affiliate programs, and sponsorships. Without these earnings, it would not be financially feasible to compete professionally, especially at 30 years old with family responsibilities.

What percentage of living expenses can be covered by prize money?

Zero percent of living expenses can be covered by prize money. All personal living expenses are paid through YouTube earnings and other sponsorships.

What is the average ranking required to break even with expenses in lower-level tournaments?

To break even, a player would need to be ranked in the top 250 to 230 in the world, as this allows consistent participation in ATP Challenger events, which offer higher prize money and some covered expenses.

What are some ways lower-ranked players afford to compete on tour?

Players often rely on private sponsors, federation support, or even club leagues in Europe. Some players also play club tennis during the summer to help cover costs.

Would the financial situation be different if tennis players had more support from brands?

Yes, if tennis brands provided financial support to lower-ranked players, it could alleviate many of the financial struggles. However, despite free product endorsements, the player in this video has no official contracts with major tennis brands.