Saudi Arabia has proposed a significant $2 billion takeover bid for professional tennis, aiming to merge the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tours into a single entity, known as the 'Premier Tour'. This move has sparked discussions within the tennis community, with the so-called 'Premium Tour'—comprising the four Grand Slams and 10 mixed events—being seen as a rival to the Saudi plan. The bid has given tennis bosses a strict deadline for acceptance. The potential merger and investment have been covered by various journalists, highlighting the future of professional tennis and the implications of Saudi funding. Notably, the investment could also support a revived tour for senior players. The Premier Tour has proposed an alternative structure, including 4 Majors, 10 combined events, a team event, a race-based ranking system, a combined year-end final, and guaranteed off weeks after the season. Additionally, leaders of the men’s and women’s professional tours are attempting to secure $1 billion of investment from Saudi Arabia.
Interesting stuff going on behind the scenes in tennis and of course the Saudis are in the middle of it. https://t.co/KavAkKez2s
From @TheAthletic: After months of waiting for the leaders of the Grand Slams to come up with a plan to reshape tennis, the leaders of the men’s and women’s professional tours are attempting to secure $1 billion of investment from Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/ZFlac4KSrX
It may not have the guaranteed Saudi $ now, but Premier Tour is offering: 4 Majors 10 combined 96-draw events over 10 days (all outdoors and with equal prize $) A team event A race, not 52-week rankings A combined wta/atp year end final 8 guaranteed end off weeks after season
Interesting to read in the Matt Futterman Athletic story on Saudi investment in pro tennis that "a portion of the money may also go toward funding a revived tour for senior players." I like that...
Best rivalry in tennis has become the Premier Tour (the four Majors and 10 mixed events ) versus the Gaudenzi/Saudi plan….It’s game on now. Everyone chasing the bag. This is tennis’ answer to NIL chaos…..
Good journalism being done by Simon Briggs here on the future of the so-called ‘Premium Tour’ and also a potential Saudi-funded merger of the WTA and ATP Tours. Read the stories, read the thread, read the WTA statement. https://t.co/9z6a7GGfAv
What we know about Saudi Arabia’s $2bn offer to buy professional tennis 🎾 Explained by @jamesgraysport via @iPaperSport https://t.co/ouxTY47omD
Tennis bosses given strict deadline to accept gigantic takeover bid from Saudi Arabia https://t.co/M6TEDTChoz