COVID-19: Djokovic, Federer, Nadal discuss relief fund

During an Instagram chat with Wawrinka, Djokovic said he had a conversation with Federer and Nadal about contributing funds to help lower-ranked players in the circuit.

Novak Djokovic reveals he had a conversation with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal about contributing funds to help the lower-ranked players on the circuit

Novak Djokovic says he spoke with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal about working with the ATP to set up a fund to help lower-ranked tennis players financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

During an IG live session he held with three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka on Saturday, Djokovic described what he called “a long conversation” with Federer and Nadal about “how we can contribute and how we can help lower-ranked guys who obviously are struggling the most.”

Djokovic talked about trying to amass somewhere around $3 million to $4.5 million to distribute, perhaps to players ranked from around 200th or 250th to around 700th.

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He said the ATP and “most likely” the Grand Slam tournaments would be involved.

Djokovic also said there would be a system devised to determine which players were most in need of the cash.

The men’s and women’s professional circuits have been shut down for more than a month because of the COVID-19 outbreak and are suspended at least until mid-July.