Weekly Lesson: Prize money makes the world go 'round

As the season’s first Grand Slam got underway, tennis fans got a stark reminder that for many who actually play the sport, tennis isn’t all that romantic. It’s a job—one that pays them well enough to live comfortably.

For Bernard Tomic, this blunt assertion made headlines last year when he gave less than stellar effort in a number of his matches, consoled by the money he makes for simply showing up. This year, in Australian Open qualifying, the world No. 142 remained unapologetic in his assessment of his priorities after Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego sent him off 6-1, 6-7, 6-4.

The loss meant that Tomic would miss his home Slam for the first time since his debut nearly a decade ago.

“I just count money, that’s all I do,” Tomic said in the aftermath. “I count my millions. You go do what I did.”

Tomic’s attitude strikes many as ungrateful and exceedingly in poor taste. It’s hard to imagine the Australian, who’s been on the pro tour for nine years, can rediscover his passion, if it was ever there.

But Tomic’s attitude—at least in regard to money—may be more widespread than the sport would like to think—even among top players. A surprising such admission came from Sam Querrey last week. In a recent interview, the world No. 13 admitted that prize money is his primary motivation for playing. He also acknowledged how bad that sounds, and said he chases improvement.

If Querrey’s admission that money is “a lot of guys’ motivation” is true, then this Slam has already paid dividends from some lesser-known players. Matthew Ebden, the 30-year-old Australian who upset John Isner 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, isn’t that far removed the days when it was unclear where the next paycheck would come from. An injury hiatus saw him start 2017 ranked No. 699 in the world.

But maybe that’s the point; in the blink of an eye, a player’s health, ranking, confidence can all turn on a dime. And with it, the money that pays all the bills. It's best get it while it’s there.