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The 39-year-old is ranked 64th in the world and
doubles up as tournament director of the ATP Masters in Madrid,
which was cancelled this year due to concerns over the virus in
Spain.
The Paris Masters, which will be played without spectators this
week, has also seen a significant reduction in prize money,
though the cuts have been made towards the later rounds in the
final ATP 1000 event of the year.
"I want to be clear. I think this is the best we can have right
now," Lopez told reporters on Sunday after beating Serbian Filip
Krajinovic 7-6(11) 6-1 in the opening round in Paris to set up a
meeting with countryman Rafa Nadal.
"We have to be aware of the situation that the world is living
(in) and how everyone is facing these challenging times around
the world," he added.
"Yeah, the prize money had a significant reduction, of course,
but it will be the same I think for the beginning of 2021,
because I don't see the virus going away. So for now I don't see
any hope on prize money."
Lopez feels tennis players are lucky to be earning a livelihood
amid the pandemic and should appreciate the efforts of
organisers staging tournaments amid health concerns and
difficult economic conditions.
The Spaniard said his job as tournament director was "very
challenging" but it also helped him see things from the
perspective of an organiser.
Although he turns 40 next year, retirement has not crossed the
mind of Lopez, who reached a career high ranking of 12th in
2015.
"I'm ready to play a full schedule again (in 2021). I feel great
on the court," he said. "I think I can still compete... I think
I'm still able to perform and to enjoy and to play against the
best players in the world."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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