PLAYING FOR WINNING PLUS

Rankings and Bonuses offered at the end of the year are up for grabs now.

The Grand Slam tournaments are over for 2017, and as another tour season nears its end with the Paris Masters-

The men are playing for the trophies, the prize money and the reminder of the eight available slots in the prestigious ATP World Tour Finals.

But there is also a less obvious objective : year-end rankings and the bonuses and perks that go with them.

The bonuses come from a variety of resources, including racket and clothing sponsors, and the money matters, often a great deal, to the players less to those who are at the top end of the tennis food chain.

''I can't speak for Roger, but I know he would not make a decision for his schedule that was driven by money,'' said Tony Godsick, Roger Federer's longtime agent.

''He would make it first and foremost on whether it makes sense in the near and long term as it relates to the physical situation. Not, 'Oh, there's a bonus there. 'I'm not sure those years ever happened with Roger.''

For many others, the moment is now.

''A lot is happening inside the lines regarding the money those players are making, regarding their contracts and also negotiations,'' said Darren Cahill, a coach and analyst.

''So there's a lot hanging on this for a lot of players.''

One of those with the most to gain this year is Sam Querrey, the top-ranked American man at No. 14 who is trying to break into the top 10 for the first time and could also qualify for his first World Tour Finals appearance in singles.

Many of those like Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray who have blocked his path in the past are out with injuries.

Finishing in the Top 12 would guarantee Querrey an ATP Tour bonus of at least $160,000.

Reaching the World Tour Finals would guarantee him a participation fee of $191,000, even if he lost all three of his round-robin matches [winning the title with an undefeated record would earn him $2,549, 000].