King, Federer, Nadal call for ATP, WTA merger
23 April, 2020
WTA founder Billie Jean King joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on Wednesday in suggesting “this is the time” to merge the men’s ATP and women’s body into 1 umbrella organisation to oversee both professional tennis tours.
Federer, holder of the men’s record of 20 Grand Slams, was the first to improve the notion on his Twitter feed, triggering an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from King and Nadal.
“Only wondering … am I the only person thinking that now is the time for men’s and women’s tennis to end up being united and get together as you?” Federer said.
“I am not discussing merging competition on the court, but merging the 2 2 governing bodies (ATP and WTA) that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours.”
Trailblazer King, who was a part of establishing the WTA in 1973 and was among the ‘Main 9’ on the tour, said her support for the theory dates back decades.
“I agree, and also have been saying as a result because the early 1970s. One tone of voice, people together, has long been my perspective for tennis. The WTA alone was always Program B. I’m glad we happen to be on the same webpage. Let’s make it work. #OneVoice,” she tweeted.
Nadal, who has 19 Grand Slam titles, supported his long-period rival’s proposition.
“Hey @rogerfederer you may already know per our discussions We completely agree that it might be great to escape this world crisis with the union of men’s and women’s tennis in a single sole organisation,” he said.
Federer and Nadal argued by merger tennis could emerge more robust from the coronavirus lockdown which includes seen the sport turn off, with Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since Universe Battle II and the French Start pushed back to the end of September.
“It probably must have happened a long time ago, but maybe now is very the time. These are tough times atlanta divorce attorneys sport and we can come out of this with 2 weakened bodies or 1 more robust body,” Federer wrote.
He said the existing program was “too confusing for the lovers whenever there are different ranking devices, different logos, different websites, different tournament categories”.
Later, three-period Grand Slam champion Stanislas Wawrinka claimed discussions are underway regarding the approach with the ATP’s chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
“It was not simply a comment like that, there is more chat in back of that. Gaudenzi at the ATP had been talking about it,” he explained during an Instagram Live with 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert.
Australian star Nick Kyrgios and two-time women’s Grand Slam champion Simona Halep also reported they were behind the idea.
Source: