Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia have made a multi million dollar offer to the ATP and WTA in a bid to merge the tours together.
The offer has been reported by The Telegraph with the ATP and WTA being offered one billion dollars each in a bid to merge the tours together.
It’s understood that the offer made by the PIF (Public Investment Fund) would see in exchange Saudi Arabia earning a Masters 1000 event which would be held in January.
The offer has come with a 90 day deadline with ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi telling ATP stakeholders in a meeting at Indian Wells.
As also per reports the Masters 1000 event that Saudi Arabia would receive would start the season potentially being held in the same slot as the United Cup.
This news hasn’t gone down too well with Tennis Australia who are reported to have opposed the move.
So far the PIF have already struck a deal with the ATP to become the sponsor of the rankings with Saudi Arabia also rumoured to be hosting the WTA Finals at the end of this year.
However we will wait to see whether the partnership between Tennis and Saudi Arabia will strengthen as the latest offer shows a statement of intent as to how willing the country is ready to invest in tennis.
