The ATP has announced Baseline, a transformative financial security programme for ATP players set to launch in 2024 as part of a three-year trial. This pioneering initiative marks a major first in the history of the ATP Tour.

Comprised of three key pillars, Baseline represents a significant step towards ensuring a greater number of players can make a sustainable living from the sport.

The first pillar of the programme is Guaranteed Base Earnings, which guarantees minimum income levels for the Top 250-ranked singles players each season. In case a player’s prize money earnings finishes below the guaranteed threshold, the ATP will step in to cover the shortfall. For the 2024 season, these levels are $300,000 (Top 100), $150,000 (101-175) and $75,000 (176-250). This assurance will empower players to plan their seasons with greater certainty, focus on their game and invest in their teams. This includes covering the expenses of coaches and personal physios, as well as travel.

The second pillar focuses on Injury Protection, providing support to players who play fewer than nine ATP Tour and Challenger Tour events in a season due to injury. This progressive initiative includes thresholds set at $200,000 (Top 100), $100,000 (101-175) and $50,000 (176-250) in 2024. This is designed to provide financial security during difficult periods, allowing players to focus on recovery and make a successful return to the game.

The third pillar, Newcomer Investment, provides an additional boost to up-and-coming players as they push on in their professional tennis journey. These rising stars will have access to $200,000 of funding upon breaking into the Top 125 for the first time, paid in advance of the following season and offset against prize money earnings. This will facilitate players’ investment into their teams and resources as they break onto the ATP Tour.

“We’re beyond excited to introduce Baseline,” said Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman. “This initiative is a complete shift in the way tennis approaches player finances. It represents our commitment to the players and their careers – fostering an environment where they can thrive and elevate the sport. It is also just the start of what we hope to achieve. Our ambition is to expand this game-changing initiative in the years to come.”

“Being a professional tennis player comes with incredible rewards, but it’s also a challenging journey, especially for those starting their careers,” said Grigor Dimitrov, ATP Player Advisory Council Member. “Baseline is a game-changer. Knowing that we have a safety net through the minimum guarantee and injury protection pillars gives us peace of mind, allowing us to focus on our game and strive for success. This truly shows the ATP’s commitment to the players and the future of our sport.”

Between 30 and 45 players are expected to receive financial support through Baseline each season, with eligibility determined based on a range of criteria. This includes a player’s ranking, career prize money earnings, and number of events played. The 2024-26 trial period will serve as an initial proof of concept, with potential to expand funding in future.

Californian lefty Omni Kumar capitalised on his lucky loser entry into the main draw of the Winston-Salem Open when he upset French World No. 73 Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 7-6(3) Monday night.

The 21-year-old came into the tournament without even a win an ATP Challenger Tour level to his name. He lost in the final round of qualifying to Illya Marchenko but came into the main draw Monday following the withdrawal of former US Open champion Dominic Thiem due to gastro.

World No. 385 Kumar, who on his backhand side use two hands on his backswing but releases his right hand at the point of contact ala Fabrice Santoro, said that he was stunned to claim an ATP Tour win before tasting success at the Challenger level.

“It’s surreal. It hasn’t even sunk in yet. I played the best tennis of my life and the crowd was behind me,” said Kumar, who has a heavy, wristy forehand and a lot of pop on his serve, despite being listed at a generous 5′ 9” in height. 

“Right as I went on to practise today I got the text that I was in. I’m sorry that Thiem pulled out but I was really hyped and I had nothing to lose so I came onto the court with that.

“I’ve seen Arthur play a lot on TV and Tennis TV highlights. He’s got an insane game, so much power. Today everything clicked for me.”

Kumar on Tuesday will face eighth seed Botic van de Zandschulp.

Michael Mmoh fired 10 aces in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win over qualifier Darian King to set a second-round meeting with fellow American and 13th seed Marcos Giron.

“It was mental resilience, staying tough,” Mmoh said of the key to his victory, his 10th of the year. “I came out really hot and played well in the first set before having a loose game in the second when he turned things around.

“First set I thought I served exceptional and in the third set I felt like it got me through some tough moments, a lot of tight service games. That was a big part of the reason I won today.”

Mmoh reached the third round at the ATP 500 in Washington earlier this month.

Richard Gasquet picked up the 601st win of his distinguished career when he defeated Switzerland’s World No. 87 Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-4, 6-4.

The 37-year-old Frenchman collected his first win of the North American hard-court swing, having lost to Adrian Mannarino in the first round of Cincinnati last week.

Seeded 12th, Gasquet faces a difficult third-round match against the winner of 19-year-old countryman Arthur Fils, seeded seventh, and Brandon Nakashima.

Sixth-seeded Argentine Sebastian Baez rallied from a set down to defeat Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and will next meet the winner of Australian ninth seed Aleksandar Vukic and #NextGenATP Frenchman Luca Van Assche.

Kevin Anderson, the 2017 finalist, headlines the US Open qualifying draw this week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre at Flushing Meadows.

The two-time major finalist will begin his attempt to reach the main draw against Oleksii Krutykh. The South African, who returned from retirement last month in Newport, is competing in major qualifying for the first time since the 2010 US Open.

The former World No. 5 is not the only star playing qualifying in New York. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals runner-up, David Goffin, Fabio Fognini, Benoit Paire and Maxime Cressy are among the players who are also in the field.

Another competitor to watch is John Millman, who has not played a tournament since the Cherbourg ATP Challenger Tour event in February. The Australian stunned Roger Federer at the US Open in 2018 en route to the quarter-finals.

The top qualifying seed is Jaume Munar and the second seed is Cristian Grain. #NextGenATP players competing in qualifying include Arthur Cazaux, Hamad Medjedovic, Dominic Stricker and Shang Juncheng.

Did you miss the unforgettable Western & Southern Open final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz?

Djokovic battled past Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) in a gruelling three-hour, 49-minute epic to claim his third crown at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The Serbian extended his record to 39 Masters 1000 titles by triumphing in the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history (since 1990).

The 36-year-old trailed by a set and a break and saved championship point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break before rallying for a memorable victory. In doing so, he levelled his budding Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with Alcaraz at 2-2.

Watch extended match highlights of the incredible Cincinnati classic final above.

Briton Jack Draper made a successful return to ATP Tour action on Monday when he defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round of the Winston-Salem Open. It was his first tour-level match since Roland Garros due to a shoulder injury.

“I played a really clean match. The guy is a really good player, so is everyone on this level,” Draper said. “It’s good to be back here in Winston. I had amazing memories here last year, so I’m happy to be back.”

One year ago, Draper defeated Fabio Fognini and Dominic Thiem en route to the Winston-Salem quarter-finals. Against Borges he hit 11 aces and did not face a break point.

“I think my serve was amazing today. I kept on putting pressure on him on my return games,” Draper said. “Last week [when I returned on the ATP Challenger Tour], I wasn’t too sharp when I first started back playing. But hopefully I can build on this performance and show you guys some good tennis all week.”

Australian Max Purcell, who reached the quarter-finals in Cincinnati, maintained his good form with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over 2018 Roland Garros semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato. Purcell is pursuing his first ATP Tour singles title and is at a career-high No. 47 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

Other straight-sets winners were Marton Fucsovics, who ousted Zhang Zhizhen 6-4, 6-2, and lucky loser Omni Kumar, who earned his first tour-level win with a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Arthur Rinderknech.

Facundo Diaz Acosta rallied past Quentin Halys 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Rinky Hijikata defeated Illya Marchenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Dominik Koepfer clawed past Constant Lestienne 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8) and Michael Mmoh found a way past Darian King 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Ryan Peniston toughed out a tricky week at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Winnipeg, Canada to lift his maiden title at that level.

The 27-year-old dropped just five games across his first three matches before needing a deciding set in his semi-final and final contests. Peniston ousted #NextGenATP Swiss Leandro Riedi 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the championship match to triumph at the Winnipeg National Bank Challenger presented by MBuilds.

“It feels amazing, after having [lost] three finals before and losing the second set, I was [having] negative thoughts,” Peniston said. “I managed to keep fighting and pull through to the end. I’ve just been taking it one match at a time, one point at a time.”

Peniston, who entered the main draw as an alternate, fought through blustery conditions all week to be crowned champion.

“I grew up by the sea, playing with windy conditions since I was young,” said Peniston, who is No. 208 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “So I definitely like playing in the wind. That helped big time.”

Also in Winnipeg, Briton Jack Draper returned to the match court after spending two months sidelined with a shoulder injury. In his first tournament since Roland Garros, the 21-year-old reached the quarter-finals and will next compete at the ATP 250 event in Winston-Salem.

In other Challenger Tour action, Jesper de Jong did not drop a set all week to win the Lotto Kozerki Open in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland. The 23-year-old defeated Lebanon’s Benjamin Hassan 6-3, 6-3 in the final to lift his first Challenger trophy since June 2021.

“It means a lot. A new career high, it means my first Challenger on hard court and second Challenger title,” De Jong said. “It’s a good step in the right direction. I’m happy to make another step.”

Jesper de Jong wins the Challenger 100 event in Grodzisk Mazowiecki.” />
Jesper de Jong in action at the Grodzisk Mazowiecki Challenger. Credit: Piotr Kucza

The Dutchman, who is at No. 143 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, will next attempt to qualify for his first major main-draw appearance this week at the US Open.

“My alarm is set for 3 a.m., then at six we fly to Paris and then to New York,” De Jong said on Saturday. “It’s going to be tough, but that’s the life of a tennis player. Not much time to celebrate. Tomorrow it’s all focus on New York.”

#NextGenATP Italian Luciano Darderi completed a dream week on home soil at the Internazionali di Tennis Citta di Todi, where the seventh seed survived Frenchman Clement Tabur 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in the final to win his first Challenger crown.

Luciano Darderi wins his first Challenger title in Todi, Italy.” />
Luciano Darderi wins his first Challenger title in Todi, Italy. Credit: Yuri Serafini

A finalist at the Buenos Aires Challenger in April, the 21-year-old Darderi is 18th in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race as he aims for maiden qualification to the Next Gen ATP Finals.

“I feel really good. It’s my third final so I’m very happy to win it here in Italy with my people,” Darderi said. “I think it’s a positive week here. I will keep trying to do my best.”

Frenchman Constant Lestienne won his seventh Challenger title at the Golden Gate Open in Stanford, California, where he defeated home hope Emilio Nava 7-6(4), 6-2 in the final.

Lestienne, seeded fourth, needed a dramatic comeback in the opening round, saving seven match points against Dane Sweeny, to stay alive before not dropping a set the remainder of the week.

The 31-year-old Lestienne, who reached a career-high No. 48 in February, earned his first title since last August, when he won the Vancouver Challenger.

Constant Lestienne wins the Challenger 125 event in Stanford, California.” />
Constant Lestienne wins the Challenger 125 event in Stanford, California. Credit: Lani-Rae Green

The blockbuster showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in the Western & Southern Open final turned into one of the best matches in recent memory.

Talk about the clash quickly fired up on social media, where fans and members of the tennis community marvelled at the action. Among the current and former players who commented on the match were three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, WTA legend Chris Evert and former World No. 4 Brad Gilbert, who helped coach Coco Gauff to the Cincinnati title earlier in the day.

Crazy good level again 👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥
Thank you @DjokerNole @carlosalcaraz 🙏🏻🙏🏻

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 21, 2023

NOVAK !!!💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼👏👏👏

— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) August 20, 2023

What a battle @DjokerNole so so strong! @carlosalcaraz is awesome and so fun to watch!
Great final!

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) August 21, 2023

What a match!! Comms said Novak has played 35 GS finals. That’s like 9 consecutive years of playing every slam final or 3 per year for 12yrs. Insanity. 🐐

— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) August 21, 2023

wow 🤩 just landed in nyc to see live scores holy toledo

— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 21, 2023

Best comeback ever from Novak . Didn’t see him turn this around after a set and a break down in 2nd set ,suffering from heat stroke. What a champion, what a performance. How did he turn it around?

— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) August 21, 2023

And it’s @DjokerNole …..

AGAIN

— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) August 21, 2023

Respect, @DjokerNole – doing his work and doing what he loves! 🙏🏻👊🏻

— Nicolas Kiefer (@Nicolas_Kiefer) August 21, 2023

Insane sport and insane level@DjokerNole thanks for the memories @carlosalcaraz thanks for the next 15 years

Not only Kings Island that has the rollercoasters in Cincinnati 🎢

Incredible

— Mark Petchey (@_markpetchey) August 21, 2023

What another great match between the Big Two… Djokovic & Alcaraz…from clay to grass to hardcourt, from altitude in Madrid to the coolness of Wimbledon to the searing heat of Cincinnati… bring on the US Open, bring on Australia, and enjoy this while it lasts

— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) August 21, 2023

As Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s cat-and-mouse battle for World No. 1 continued with a thrilling championship match at the Western & Southern Open, a host of other ATP Tour stars made big jumps off the back of the ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati.

ATPTour.com looks at the movers of the week in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings as of 21 August 2023.

No. 47 Max Purcell, +23 (Career High)
A breakout run to the quarter-finals in Cincinnati has propelled the 25-year-old Purcell to a career-high No. 47. After reaching the second round as a qualifier in Toronto in his maiden Masters 1000 main-draw appearance, the Australian qualified again in Cincinnati before downing Lloyd Harris, Casper Ruud (Purcell’s first Top 10 win) and Stan Wawrinka to book a quarter-final spot in Ohio. Despite a three-set defeat to World No. 1 Alcaraz, Purcell is now a Top 50 player for the first time.

No. 4 Holger Rune, +1 (Career High)
There was a disappointing end to Rune’s debut as a Top 5 player as the Dane retired from his opening match in Cincinnati against Mackenzie McDonald after receiving treatment on his lower back. Despite that setback, the 20-year-old continues to rise in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He will head to the US Open in New York as the new World No. 4.

No. 5 Casper Ruud, +2
Ruud also suffered an early exit in Cincinnati, but he nonetheless trades places upwards with new No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas. Ruud’s defeat to Purcell was his second-straight opening-round loss in Cincinnati, but it is unlikely to deter the Norwegian ahead of the US Open — a year ago he recovered from defeat to Ben Shelton in Ohio by charging to his second major final of 2022 in New York.

No. 12 Alexander Zverev, +5
Zverev’s rebuilding job after suffering a serious ankle injury at 2022 Roland Garros continued apace last week in Cincinnati, where the German reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final of the season. The 26-year-old Zverev downed Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev en route to the last four, where he pushed eventual champion Djokovic close in two tight sets.

No. 40 Alexei Popyrin, +18 (Career High)
Australia’s Popyrin backed up his title run in Umag with a stirring quarter-final run in Cincinnati, where he was competing on hard courts for the first time since March. The 24-year-old fell to Purcell in qualifying but then capitalised on being awarded a lucky loser spot in the main draw by defeating Daniel Altmaier and Emil Ruusuvuori, before falling to Hubert Hurkacz in the last eight.

Other Notable Top 100 Movers
No. 17 Hubert Hurkacz, +3
No. 21 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, +2 (Career High)
No. 23 Adrian Mannarino, +9
No. 24 Nicolas Jarry, +2 (Career High)
No. 39 Mackenzie McDonald, +4 (Career High)
No. 52 Dusan Lajovic, +14
No. 65 Luca Van Assche, +3 (Career High)
No. 71 Corentin Moutet, +6
No. 84 Alexander Shevchenko, +4 (Joint Career High)

Think it’s foolish to serve and volley behind your second serve? Wrong. It’s foolish not to.

Novak Djokovic served and volleyed six times behind his second serve, winning every point on his way to a thrilling 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the Western & Southern Open final on Sunday.

The back of the court was failing Djokovic early on as torrid baseline exchanges took their toll in the blistering Cincinnati heat. The Serbian suffered from heat exhaustion after only a handful of games and cleverly changed gears to attack the net with approach shots and serve and volley. Djokovic also served and volleyed twice behind his first serve, winning one of them. No other strategy he employed came close to winning 88 per cent (7/8) of the time. Alcaraz served and volleyed 10 times, winning eight, with all of them being behind a first serve.

Djokovic initially served and volleyed behind his second serve at 5-5, 0/15 in the opening set. It was a clever counter to Alcaraz’s ultra-deep return position. Djokovic hit a heavy kick second serve to Alcaraz’s backhand return and got well inside the service line for the volley, knocking off a backhand volley winner. In fact, all six of Djokovic’s serve and volley forays forward behind his second serve were to take advantage of Alcaraz standing extremely deep to return serve.

The advantage of Djokovic’s slow, heavy second serve is that it takes much longer than normal to reach the returner, enabling Djokovic excellent court position for his first volley well inside the baseline. The kick serve also jumps up high out of the opponent’s strike zone, giving them little power to use back at the server.

It was a masterful strategic manouevre that seemed counter-intuitive to everyone but Djokovic. It was straight out of the Patrick Rafter playbook.

Djokovic served and volleyed behind his second serve a few points later at 5-5, 15/40. This time, it was a slow, 94 mph slice second serve out wide in the Deuce court. Again, Alcaraz stood extremely deep to return and made contact with the ball around 13 feet behind the baseline. Djokovic hit his second volley for a winner as Alcaraz was left sitting on the court after losing balance trying to chase the ball down.

Djokovic’s gutsiest call to serve and volley behind his second serve occurred at 6/6 in the second set tie-break. He had just saved a match point on the previous point by approaching the net, and he desperately needed another quick point as heat exhaustion saw him doubled over as they changed sides.

Alcaraz stood in a traditional position closer to the baseline to return Djokovic’s first serve, but it was a fault. Alcaraz moved well back behind the baseline to return the second serve, which the Serbian duly noted. Djokovic hit a 95 mph slice second serve to Alcaraz’s forehand return, and two backhand volleys later had won the point. Djokovic’s body was failing him from the extreme heat, but his strategic mindset and warrior mentality carried him to the finish line.

In the opening set, Djokovic only won 40 per cent of his baseline points and appeared at the net just four times. In the second set, he still only won 42 per cent of baseline points but appeared at the net 14 times, winning 11. He was back in the match.

Alcaraz’s Achilles’ heel in the match was his return of serve. Djokovic only committed 18 return errors, while the Spaniard collected more than double that amount with a staggering 37 return errors, including 25 from the forehand wing. Alcaraz committed at least one return error in both tie-breaks and every one of Djokovic’s 18 service games except one. Alcaraz could not figure out where to stand to return, especially against Djokovic’s second serve. Sometimes, he was making contact nine feet inside the baseline, and sometimes 18 feet behind the baseline. He never locked onto a return location that looked comfortable.

Sneaking straight in behind stealthy second serves saved Djokovic’s legs and lungs from further punishment at the back of the court. It showed tremendous courage and conviction, but ultimately, it was an easy choice, with Alcaraz giving up so much ground to start the point.