After some whopping investments in golf, Saudi Arabia’s PIF has shifted its focus to the racket game. While calling it a “multi-year strategic partnership,” the ATP Tour has now announced a deal with the global and domestic investor. Many in the tennis community have voiced their opinions, including American tennis veteran Jimmy Connors, who recently issued some candid statements.

Emphasizing Saudi’s multi-million-dollar deal with the governing body of the men’s tour, the Hall of Famer talked about how the Middle Eastern nation is coming in as ‘a second-placed player.’ Meanwhile, Connors also opened up about how Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would have had a major impact on Saudi Arabia’s ‘$100 million deal’ as it would have been ‘a different story.’

In the latest episode of the ‘Advantage Connors’ podcast show, the former tennis ace was asked to shed light on the ATP Tour’s partnership with Saudi Arabia’s PIF. He said, “I’m telling you this, Nadal and Federer, if they were still in this, that 100 million would have been a different story. That’s just my thought, right off the top.”

Even though many youngsters like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have lately made some notable impressions on the men’s circuit, Connors asserted that Federer and Nadal would still have impacted the Saudi deal. He said, “You know, Djoker, you know Sinner, and a couple of younger guys, Alcaraz, they’re coming up. But if Federer and Nadal were still in it, that 100 million would have been a, you know, a past thought.”

During the honest conversation, the 8-time singles Grand Slam champion also candidly spoke about how the partnership has changed everyone’s attitude in the tennis community.

“You know, when the money comes in, everybody changes….”- Connors goes unfiltered about Saudi Arabia’s deal

The American tennis legend talked about how the Middle Eastern nation’s sovereign wealth fund has increased its involvement in tennis after its investments in golf. Connors said, “You know when the money comes in, everybody changes the attitude and looks at things a different way, I don’t blame them. You know, I mean, tennis second, you know, golf has already been through with all that. The difference in the PGA and the LIV circuit and what’s going to happen with them.”

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When it comes to the racket game, the Hall of Famer said that the country has come as ‘a second-placed player’ with its hundreds of millions deal. He stated, “You know, in tennis, they’re coming in, but they’re coming as a second-placed player. You know, how many hundreds of millions they’re putting in golf and they’re putting a hundred million in tennis.”

Do you think Federer and Nadal would have had a major impact on Saudi Arabia’s deal? Let us know in the comments section.

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