After investing in football and golf, Saudi Arabia also wants to increase its influence in tennis and combine the men’s and women’s Masters tournaments. As the British newspaper “Telegraph” reported, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has made a $2 billion bid for the ATP and WTA tournaments, the second highest category behind the four Grand Slams, for 90 days and represents competition for a possible “Premier Tour” model, which the associations recently discussed.
Novak Djokovic and Co. could soon play more often in Saudi Arabia.
IMAGO/Hasenkopf
Last September it became known that the professional tennis organizations for men (ATP) and women (WTA) had discussed a merger in London. At the time, the Telegraph said that the aim was to counteract Saudi Arabia’s increased influence in world tennis and to prevent the kingdom from having its own tournament series, as in golf.
According to the report, the controversial ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi informed about the offer now presented by the PIF during discussions in Indian Wells last Saturday, without involving those responsible for the Grand Slam. According to observers, there is a risk of a dispute between the different organizations – also due to possible effects on the tennis calendar. (dpa)
2024-04-15 06:30:47
#ATP #Monte #Carlo #Stefanos #Tsitsipas #beats #Casper #Ruud
