NEW YORK: Men’s professional tennis body, the ATP, and women’s counterpart, the WTA, are discussing a merger, reported dpa news agency quoting a report by Britain’s Telegraph newspaper on Sunday.
The report said a two-day summit was to be held in London at the end of September to discuss the issue. According to the report, the organisations fear the increased influence of Saudi Arabia in world tennis.
Both the ATP and WTA were asked for comment at the current US Open.
The tours away from the four grand slam tournaments have long been organised by the two different bodies. Both the ATP and WTA have their own sponsors and TV contracts, one reason why prize money for women players for comparable tournaments is significantly lower than for males.
A merger could lead to a pay alignment, as already exists at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open as well as some Masters events.
A new over-arching organization has been debated in tennis circles for some time, with the governing ITF seen by many as lightweight.
Men’s tennis great Roger Federer first talked up a merger in 2020 and women’s tennis icon Billie Jean King agreed. – BERNAMA-dpa
