I think they get their rackets free of charge nowadays as part of advertising the logo on them. Far different to the days when all Wimbledon players were deemed to be 'amateurs'. In those days they had to buy them from the manufactures and to make legal the players amateur status they were charged a penny each for them. Makes one think doesn't it. Furthermore, the players were only paid expenses, which was a laugh, because they were paid on a doubling-up system......One arrived at tournament 'A' and was paid expenses and then proceeded to 'B' where it had been agreed for expenses from 'A' to 'B' and then on to 'C' .However, 'C' would then agree to pay from 'B' to 'C' and onto 'D'. etc etc.
Complicated, but it worked to ensure that a good income was received by 'amateurs.
Ron.
Ron.