Sofia Shapatava is finally getting the media spotlight, but in a way that she would have never expected.
A low-ranking tennis player, all she wanted to do was just play tennis, and earn money along the championships, although they may amount to a sultry sum. And now, everything has stopped in its tracks.
“All you can do is stick your head out of a window.”
“My mom’s cousin got infected and he passed away so that was very bad news for us,” she said. “It’s very depressing because I knew him since I was a kid. I know many Italian players who are at home for longer than me and I think it’s getting hard for them too. It’s just sad and it’s very weird, it’s like science fiction book. We are all pretty depressed.”
Equipment is naturally a sponsored material, but the money is what she won’t get if it keeps up. She is so under-financed that even before the Corona outbreak, she was supported by her German coach.
A petition is a way to be heard. I don’t demand, I’m just basically trying to get attention so the ITF — and who if not them — can support us.
”
“We cannot work. We cannot play club matches, which is the biggest income for lower-income tennis players outside of playing tennis and coaching.”
ITF is also “looking into various options to support nations and players and would “provide more information when we have completed that process.””
The most heavy amount she has been able to win is $926.
“It usually pays more than you get in six months of competing.”
”