The first week of the season was men’s tennis cast in miniature. In fact, it illuminated wealth inequality more broadly. The billionaire class—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—flew to a lavish exhibition. They batted around balls, smiling throughout. They collected seven-figure checks. And then they shared a private plane to Melbourne.
Why deign to play regular tournaments against regular opponents—and fly commercial—when you don’t have to? When you can hang out in private enclaves? Let the rank and file interrupt holidays to scavenge for, you know, ranking points, prize money and form.
