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‘Grand slams are the engine to make a living’:Mackenzie McDonald on why players still compete when injured

American talks life on the professional circuit and those making sacrifices for a pay cheque, often compromising physical and mental welfare

This story summarizes reporting from The Guardian. Read the original for full context. Wire items stay in our news sitemap for seven days. Editorial policy.

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Matt Hughes27 Aug 2026, 02:27 pmUpdated 1d ago1 min readSportsGlobal

Global — Matt Hughes

‘Grand slams are the engine to make a living’: Mackenzie McDonald on why players still compete when injured

American talks life on the professional circuit and those making sacrifices for a pay cheque, often compromising physical and mental welfare

For Mackenzie McDonald the players’ push for greater prize money and welfare contributions from the grand slam tournaments could result in the difference between putting food on the table and making a decent living.

After 10 years on the ATP Tour the 31-year-old American is not pleading poverty, but knows that life on the professional circuit can be a hand-to-mouth existence, with players’ physical and mental welfare often compromised due to their desperation to get back on court.

For Mackenzie McDonald the players’ push for greater prize money and welfare contributions from the grand slam tournaments could result in the difference between putting food on the table and making a decent living.

This report is published with credit to The Guardian. The wire sent a summary; open the original for any extra context. Read on The Guardian →

Source: The Guardian · Matt Hughes. Published 27 Aug 2026, 02:27 pm.

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