Thiem had stated last week that he would prefer to contribute to deserving causes instead of a player relief fund; the Austrian believes believes lower-ranked tennis pros aren’t desperately in need of money. And now, in an interview with ESPN, Devvarman has said the 2020 Australian Open runner-up is totally justified in wanting to decide how he would like to spend his money.

Devvarman, a Padma Shri awardee, believes that Dominic Thiem shouldn’t be forced to donate his money anywhere he doesn’t want to. Thiem had, in his comments last week, openly refused to be a part of the fund proposed by Novak Djokovic to help the lower-rung professionals tide over the coronavirus crisis.

Reducing the pay gap should be on the agenda: Devvarman

There are quite a few experienced veterans outside the top 100 who have made more money than the promising youngsters who have just broken into the top 100. And Devvarman believes it would be unfair to pressurize the rising stars to donate their hard-earned money simply because of their presence in the elite bracket.

The 2010 Asian Games gold medalist, who made it to a career-high ranking of 62 back in 2011, has a more pragmatic solution in mind: minimizing the income disparity between the different echelons of the sport.

Devvarman suggested that a long-term plan needs to be put into place so that the prize money at the lower levels is increased. That in turn would help more players make a decent livelihood from the sport, rather than the mere 500-odd that are doing so right now.

The 35-year-old also hinted at the idea of reducing the prize money at the highest levels in order to ensure a more impartial distribution of funds.

Dominic Thiem also found support from Berrettini, Pella and Rodionova

While Dominic Thiem got a lot of flak for his supposedly insensitive comments about lower-ranked players, three of his peers echoed his thoughts. World No. 8 Matteo Berrettini has thrown his weight behind Thiem and has called for the donation to not be mandatory.

World No. 35 Guido Pella also shared the same views as Thiem, and said that knowing the financial condition of the beneficiaries is important.

Arina Rodionova, ranked No. 69 in doubles, also came forward to say that it is ITF’s responsibility to provide for the lower-ranked players - and that Dominic Thiem should not be vilified for his comments.

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