British tennis boss wants tax exemption for foreign players

British tennis officials are holding high-level discussions with the government in a bid to gain a tax exemption for foreign players.



Rafael Nadal will not play at the Aegon Championship at Queen’s in 2012 because of the earnings he will lose to tax.



The ATP World Tour Finals could also leave London when its contract ends in 2013 unless UK tax laws are altered.



UK tax rules state that in addition to tax paid on prize money and appearance fees, visiting athletes have to hand over a percentage of their global endorsement income, with the amount proportional to the time they spend in the UK.



Other individual sports such as golf and athletics are also affected.



Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt had to pull out of last summer's London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace for tax reasons.