Federer: Time ripe for tours to merge

Roger Federer on Wednesday called for a merger between the men's ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs the women's circuit, as tennis wades through a lengthy coronavirus shutdown with lower-level professionals facing deep financial trouble.

The tennis season was suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the hiatus will continue at least until mid-July, depriving lower-level players, who depend solely on tournament winnings, of the chance to earn a living.

"Just wondering ... am I the only one thinking that now is the time for men's and women's tennis to be united and come together as one?" 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer said on Twitter."I am picturing a merger between the WTA and ATP.

"I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the 2 governing bodies that oversee the men's and women's professional tours."

Tennis enjoys a massive worldwide following but its governance remains fractious with as many as seven associations running different parts the game.

Besides the ATP and the WTA tours, the sport is also controlled by the International Tennis Federation and the boards of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

"It's too confusing for the fans when there are different ranking systems, different logos, different websites, different tournament categories," the 38-year-old Swiss continued.

"It probably should have happened a long time ago, but maybe now is really the time.

"These are tough times in every sport and we can come out of this with 2 weakened bodies or 1 stronger body."

Responding to Federer's suggestion in a statement to Reuters, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said tennis now had a "big opportunity" to create unity.

"Recent cooperation between governing bodies has only strengthened my belief that a unified sport is the surest way to maximize our potential and to deliver an optimal experience for fans on-site, on television and online," he said.

"To that end, I welcome the views of our players. Tennis has always led the way when it comes to putting men and women together on the biggest stages－it's one of our strengths, and sets us apart from many other sports.

"We look forward to continued collaboration and discussions with the WTA and other stakeholders across all aspects of our business."

WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said the WTA had been in regular contact with the ATP about the return to tournament competition and looked forward to "continuing discussions on how we can effectively work together".

"I have long stated that we are at our best as a sport when we can work together, and the recent weeks have highlighted that fact," he said in a statement.

King backing

Federer's views also drew support from past and present players.

"I agree, and have been saying so since the early 1970s. One voice, women and men together, has long been my vision for tennis," tweeted American great Billie Jean King, who was a part of establishing the WTA in 1973 and was one of the 'Original 9' on the tour.

"The WTA on its own was always Plan B. I'm glad we are on the same page. Let's make it happen. #One-Voice."

Rafa Nadal, the other member of the so-called 'Big 3' alongside Federer and Novak Djokovic, also voiced his support.

"I completely agree that it would be great to get out of this world crisis with the union of men's and women's tennis in one only organization," posted Nadal.

Later, three-time Grand Slam winner Stanislas Wawrinka claimed discussions are underway regarding the move with ATP chairman Gaudenzi.

"It was not just a comment like that, there is more talk behind that. Gaudenzi at the ATP was already talking about it," he said during an Instagram Live with 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert.

Gaudenzi, who took charge in January, said last week that the subject of closer collaboration had come up during talks about how to proceed when the COVID-19 crisis eases.

"All of the bodies coming together and discussing the calendar, a way forward, player relief and many, many other topics. That could be the positive outcome of this," he said on ATP Tennis Radio.

"Finally, the governing bodies of tennis and the Grand Slams are getting together and working collaboratively on the long-term future of the sport."

WTA stars Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova and Garbine Muguruza also backed for the merger idea.

World No 2 Halep tweeted that Federer was "not the only one" thinking along those lines, while Muguruza added: "Yes, would be a good idea".

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova tweeted: "Hands up if you agree with @rogerfederer," alongside a raised-hand emoji.

However, outspoken Australian player Nick Kyrgios sounded less enthused.

"Did anyone ask the majority of the ATP what they think about merging with the WTA and how it is good for us?" the world No 40 wrote on social media.