‘We’re Shocked’ – John McEnroe’s Brother Shares Helpless Feelings Over Saudi Arabia’s $2 Billion Ultimatum

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently launched a tennis takeover with a $2 Billion take-it-or-leave-it offer. It aims to merge the men’s and women’s tours and bring a few more changes into the tennis world. Several mixed reactions have come in so far from the tennis world over the last few months surrounding the Saudi takeover. Recently, John McEnroe’s brother shared his views on Saudi Arabia’s new ultimatum.

Apart from the merge of ATP and WTA to host more combined tournaments. They want to add the Saudi Arabia tournament at the start of the season and, according to reports, the offer expires in 90 days. So, what’s Patrick McEnroe’s take on this bold move?

“lot more money coming to the players..” – John McEnroe’s brother on the recent Saudi developments in the tennis world

During an interview with CNBC, Patrick McEnroe gave his views on the mysterious situation with what’s going on with Saudi Arabia and tennis. He said, “Well the establishment in the tennis world…We’re shocked at what has happened in the last week here in the desert at Indian Well that this offer came through from the ATP head, Andrea Gaudenzi.” He added that the Grand Slams and Tours were hoping to come to some sort of agreement.

An agreement in which they could come together and control the calendar of pro tennis. Patrick McEnroe feels with this Saudi offer, things behind the scenes have been really thrown into disarray now. “There’ll be a lot more money coming to the players I think in the next few years. Whether that comes directly from the Saudis or they have control over the Tour. I think that is the big question,” McEnroe. As things stand, the four Grand Slam events wouldn’t be a part of the PIF offer.

It’ll be now interesting to see if they can work together and come up with a calendar that suits all of them. “Otherwise tennis goes in the way of F1, soccer and of course, we’ve seen what has happened with Liv Golf in the last couple of years. Tennis seems to be next,” Patrick McEnroe.

However, the idea of hosting a Masters 1000 tournament in the first week of the season in Saudi Arabia is strongly opposed by Tennis Australia head, Craig Tiley. He had established the United Cup team event in the same slot in the calendar. So, the tennis world is quite divided in the move. But what does Patrick McEnroe’s elder brother, John McEnroe have to say on the Saudi move?

“I wouldn’t encourage…the Saudi thing” – John McEnroe

John McEnroe is not surprised by Saudi Arabia buying players in other sports and making huge investments over there. He stated, “I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf. I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing, per se. It’s not in my hands.”

A couple of months back John McEnroe gave an interview with ESPN, where he added, “Personally, I disagree with it completely, with the golf and the tennis. The ladies are going to play in the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me? Because they treat women so well? That part is to me laughable.” He even admitted that he has huge respect for Billie Jean King.

But now McEnroe feels he’ll have to rethink that after her call to explore playing a few events in Saudi Arabia. What are your thoughts on the Saudi move?

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