American tennis veteran Mackenzie McDonald has highlighted the financial and physical challenges faced by many professional players, particularly those outside the sport’s top ranks, amid ongoing discussions about prize money and welfare support at grand slam tournaments. Speaking from the Cincinnati Open, where he was eliminated in the first qualifying round, McDonald emphasized that numerous players are compelled to compete despite significant injuries due to financial necessity.

After a decade on the ATP Tour, the 31-year-old acknowledged that while he is not struggling financially, many players live on precarious incomes. The lure of sizeable prize money — including a record $140,000 for first-round losers at the upcoming US Open — often pressures injured athletes to take health risks to secure earnings needed for basic living expenses such as housing and team support, including coaches and physiotherapists.

“The grand slams are the engine that enables [players] to make a living,” McDonald said. “It’s the difference between putting food on the table and making a living.” He noted that welfare provision among the four major tournaments remains limited despite the sport generating more than $2 billion annually. Currently, they do not contribute directly to player welfare or pensions, though the United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently pledged $2 million to establish a new player support program.

McDonald’s perspective contrasts with that of some higher-profile players advocating for increases to prize money—suggested to rise from about 15% of grand slam revenues to 22%—by illustrating the struggles of those outside the spotlight. Though McDonald has career earnings exceeding $7 million, he pointed out that the majority of players face significant expenses including travel, coaching, and medical support, which often consume a large portion of their income.

“It’s pretty insignificant for lower-level players,” McDonald said, estimating that a player ranked around 250 might earn roughly $200,000 annually before taxes and expenses. He also stressed that only a small fraction of players—88 last year—made more than $1 million, underscoring the financial pressures faced by many.

Injuries represent a major obstacle, with comprehensive medical insurance covering only ATP’s top 150 players, while those ranked just below receive more limited protection. McDonald recounted his own experience with a serious hamstring injury sustained at the 2019 French Open, which sidelined him for much of that season and led to a difficult recovery period compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

“When you get hurt you’re not making any money and your world ranking also goes down, which limits your ability to compete,” he explained, describing the challenge of regaining form and income after injury as a “brutal” cycle. He also recounted the logistical difficulties players often face, including frequent travel disruptions and loss of possessions.

The USTA’s player support program, embedded within this year’s $108 million US Open prize fund, was seen as a positive step by the players and contributed to the cancellation of a planned media boycott at the French Open. However, negotiations continue, with player representatives requesting similar commitments from the other grand slams and advocating for a fixed revenue-sharing model to more effectively address player welfare.

“I would hope in the future that the money-making engines of tennis would help to contribute to player welfare,” McDonald said. “I think it’s going that direction, but how fast it happens is a different question.”