FFT planning to push out €21 million national pandemic relief fund

The French tennis federation (FFT) plans to provide 21 million Euros to help the sport nationally during the coronavirus pandemic, according to FFT president Bernard Giudicell.

"The clubs will get around 60 percent of the funds, which are 21 million," Giudicelli toldle Journal Dimanche. "Seventeen percent will go to international tournaments and professional umpires, and a little more than 10 percent to independent teaching pros, who don't have partial income. Finally, 10 percent for professionals that are Top 100 in France, but who will not get something from the ATP and WTA plan."

The ATP, WTA, ITF and Slams have announced $6 million to help lower-ranked players while the tours are on hiatus.

The FFT joins Britain's LTA and the Italian and Spanish tennis federations among the European federations announcing relief funds for the game nationally, but it is the first among those to include professional players.

Most of its earnings come from the French Open, which is about 260 million Euros annually. The federation has postponed the event, which was scheduled to begin in two weeks, and now wants to play it two weeks following the US Open.

No other events have officially been rescheduled.