For better readability
At first, the WTA boss said of a potential ATP-WTA merger: “ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi spoke about it, too. The more we work together, the better. This is the perfect example. When I contacted ATP to explain to them that we were considering doing this and why, they didn’t butt, when they could have. I didn’t want to commit to their tournament categories without their support for that idea. It was above all for better readability ”.
And to continue: “This is a very positive step and it shows everyone that we are really working hand in hand. I think you’ll see ATP and WTA working together even more in the future. We talk quite regularly ”.
More combined tournaments
So there is still some way to go to achieve this merger. The two bodies will seek, in particular, to keep their own identity. Any reconciliation will take a long time; all the agreements which bind each of the two bodies to their partners should, for example, be renegotiated. In the meantime, a form of cooperation has already started. Madrid, for example, have extended the duration of their tournament, which will now last two weeks. We should, probably, expect more combined tournaments, a pooling of financial resources leading to lower costs and increased revenue.
A positive idea
“Some players have the same desire. If you spoke to the players, you would hear the same speech and their advice is also in favor of more collaboration. I really believe in it. There are obviously obstacles, economic issues that are problematic at this time. But I think the more we push in this direction, the better it will be ”, confirmed the CEO of the WTA. There is still a long way to go and any merger will take years to complete. But the fact that ATP and WTA are showing their willingness to work together gives some idea of the future of tennis.
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