Stefanos Tsitsipas has angered his fans with his latest career move.
The Greek tennis ace is charging fans for exclusive social media content despite his staggering career earnings.
Tsitsipas has raked in over £25million in prize money on the court, but is now seeking £5.99 a month from his Instagram subscribers.
Fans who sign up for the exclusive content will be able to see extra stories and posts not available to the rest of Tsitsipas’ 1.9 million followers.
The 26-year-old has also announced he will be holding livestream giveaways exclusively for his paid subcribers.
Tsitsipas is currently ranked 11th in the world, having previously found himself as high as third.
He has also won 11 singles titles including the ATP Tour Finals as well as reaching the final of both the Australian Open and the French Open.
As a result, Tsitsipas has amassed £25.3m in career prize money, with that figure including £2.6m from this year alone.
His massive earnings have left fans unimpressed with his decision to put content and prizes behind a paywall.
Announcing his first livestream giveaway, Tsitsipas posted on X: “I’m hosting an exclusive Off-Season Q&A tomorrow night on Instagram, and it’s going to be extra special for my subscribers.”
Reacting to the move, one follower commented: “Stef, I’ve been your fan for six years and money won’t buy that. You should do (it) for everybody, not just to those who are your subscribers.”
Another added: “Stef, I am one of your devoted fans but I don’t think this is a good idea.
Tsitsipas’ girlfriend Paula Badosa is amongst the 120 Instagram users subscribed to his content[/caption]
“Not all of your fans can afford it for financial or other reasons (paid subscription is not available in Russia). Does it make sense to split your fans by putting some above others?”
Meanwhile, a third fan also commented: “I’m sorry Stef, this whole channel is a bad idea, creating a ‘private fanclub’ is discriminating against the many other fans who cannot or do not subscribe, some of whom (are) already spending a lot of money/time to support you. Money/benefits don’t buy a true fan…”
And this user simply stated: “Shame on u that u need the extra money.”
Should fans sign up, they will have the chance to win the top prize of ‘a free daily pass ticket to all four Grand Slams for one lucky viewer (for the whole year!)’
A signed Wilson racket and full Adidas kit will also be on offer when Tsitsipas holds the giveaway live on Thursday night.
However, he currently only has just over 120 paid subscribers on Instagram.
They include his girlfriend and fellow tennis player Paula Badosa.
The Spaniard has won over £6,.1m career prize money herself and is currently ranked 12th in the world.
Badosa and Tsitsipas announced they had split up back in May before rekindling their romance later in the year.