MUMBAI: The tennis governing bodies have joined forces to support lower-level professionals who are struggling financially during the sport’s shutdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The tennis season was halted in early March due to the pandemic, leaving players in the lower tiers who depend solely on tournament winnings without the chance to earn a living. The men’s ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs the women’s circuit, suspended all tournaments until mid-July after countries started locking down borders to contain the spread of the flu-like virus which has infected over two million people. The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the sport’s governing body, was also forced to postpone its lower-tier World Tennis Tour. The plight of the players ranked outside the top 100 in singles prompted all stakeholders, along with the organisers of the four Grand Slams, to step in and devise plans to provide some relief. While professional tennis players remain independent contractors and not employees, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said he was impressed by the spirit of collaboration among the various governing bodies. Gaudenzi said while the ATP’s reserves and resources were not infinite, and the body was also hamstrung by lack of clarity on the resumption of the sport, the Tour will offer help for those who need it most. While tennis is a lucrative sport for those at the top, those in the lower echelons often struggle to make ends meet.