Javier Sanchez
Updated Friday, March 15, 2024-10:04
It is already known: Saudi Arabia wants to take over the sport in a hurry.
First was Formula 1, with its own Grand Prix and an offer to buy the World Championship.
Then football, with the signings of
Cristiano Ronaldo
,
Karim Benzema
and
Neymar
.
Then golf, with the creation of LIV Golf and the agreement with stars like
Jon Rahm
.
Recently boxing, with the last evenings of
Tyson Fury
and
Anthony Joshua
.
And what's next?
The tennis.
Before the Madrid Masters 1000 in May, the ATP, the WTA and several of the world's largest tournaments must decide whether to sell themselves to the Arab country's billionaire sovereign wealth fund (PIF) or go their own way.
The first option is easier: money simplifies everything.
The second option is romantic: sport would maintain its independence.
What will be decided?
Nobody knows.
But it seems that Saudi Arabia will get its way.
The most idealistic path is too complex.
For several months now, the four Grand Slams have been working to create a new circuit called the Premier Tour that gives more importance to the Masters 1000 and protects the calendar: there would be 14 tournaments for the top 100 in the ranking and the rest, the current ones. ATP 500 and ATP 250 would be reserved for young people and applicants.
With this, television would be assured of more duels between the best in the world, the current oversaturation of matches would be avoided, order would be brought to the current organizational chaos and progress would be made in the merger between ATP and WTA.
The problem, as always, is the budget.
To develop the project, investors are needed, all tournaments win more than now and, among other things, convince the players.
The men's circuit generates 270 million euros annually compared to the 105 million generated by the women's circuit and uniting them could be detrimental to tennis players.
Millions for everyone
That is why Saudi Arabia's offer is assumed to be the winner.
As reported this week by 'The Telegraph', the PIF has offered $2 billion to the ATP, the WTA and tournament organizers to create a unified men's and women's circuit with abundant prizes for everyone.
Since only the top 100 would play on the Premier Tour, the calendar would be organized, the benefits would be multiplied and an egalitarian sport would be obtained, but there would be one difference: the Grand Slams would not be in charge.
They could join the project, yes, but they would not be the promoters and their importance in the calendar remains to be seen.
Last Saturday, in the first days of the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, the current president of the ATP, former player
Andrea Gaudenzi
, met with those responsible for the Masters 1000 to explain the proposal and invite them to respond as quickly as possible.
Saudi's proposal has a 90-day expiration date and the clock is ticking.
Now is the time for negotiations.
The ATP had already signed an extensive sponsorship with the PIF, several events already had Saudi companies as sponsors and many stars have already succumbed to Saudi charms.
Rafa Nadal
, the country's ambassador, is the great example, but
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner
and
Holger Rune
had also agreed to play an exhibition tournament there next fall.
In reality, in tennis, so far, only one voice truly opposed to Saudi Arabia has appeared.
Craig Tiley
, the person responsible for the Australian Open, was the ideologue of the Premier Tour and now his project, his figure and even his Grand Slam are at risk.
Saudi Arabia has always wanted a Masters 1000 and if it ends up setting up its own circuit it will organize a tournament in winter, when the weather there is more acceptable.
If that happens, the Melbourne event could once again lose its relevance, its prestige, its poster.
In short, as happened to other sports before, tennis is now at a crossroads: either sell itself to Saudi Arabia or follow its own path.