ATP Responds to Roger Federer’s Suggestion for ATP and WTA Merger

Roger Federer called for a merger between ATP and WTA in order to have one “strong” global tennis organization. This will help the sport get through the tough times created by the coronavirus pandemic. ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has also welcomed Federer’s suggestion as he sees a “big opportunity” in uniting with their counterpart.

The Swiss maestro explained that it is very confusing for the fans as the two governing bodies have different ranking systems, different logos, different websites, different tournament logos.

“Our sport has a big opportunity if we can come together” – ATP

Moreover, the association also has a different revenue distribution system. Tennis is also controlled by the ITF and the four Grand Slam boards. Hence, the merger of the two entities would be quite complex. However, the ATP chief has put some weight on Federer’s idea.

“Our sport has a big opportunity if we can come together in the spirit of collaboration and unity. Recent cooperation between governing bodies has only strengthened my belief that a unified sport is the surest way to maximize our potential and to deliver an optimal experience for fans on-site, on television and online,” Gaudenzi said in an interview with The Tennis Podcast.

“To that end, I welcome the views of our players. Tennis has always led the way when it comes to putting men and women together on the biggest stages. It’s one of our strengths, and sets us apart from many other sports,” he added.

Gaudenzi further revealed that the ATP looks forward to continued collaboration and discussions with the WTA. Furthermore, they are also open to collaborating with other stakeholders across all aspects of their business.

Also Read: “I Don’t Know if it’s That Possible” – Stan Wawrinka Not Sure of Roger Federer’s Idea

Federer’s view also drew support from numerous professional players. With an already complicated system, the merger of WTA and ATP is certainly difficult. However, the unification process is not impossible.