There have been rumors of a merger between the ATP and WTA tours lately, and ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi added fuel to the fire after reporting on the current state of deliberations between the two governing bodies.
Former world number one Roger Federer suggested merging the two tours in 2020. The 20-time Grand Slam champion’s idea was supported by fans and fellow tennis players at the time, but nothing was done.
Gaudenzi open to collaboration with other tennis associations
In a recent interview with L’Equipe. the Italian raised the issue of the tennis associations coming together for the benefit of the sport.
“Everyone has to sit down at the table, the ATP, the WTA, the Grand Slams, the ITF. For me that is the only way to preserve tennis,” said Gaudenzi during the ATP Finals. “Currently there are seven organizations that manage world tennis, and that is too many. Everyone makes decisions in their own interest, and tennis suffers as a result. We are pushing towards a large unification.”
The ATP chairman also revealed that he hopes to have a unified ATP-WTA tour at some point in the future, possibly as early as the 2025 season.
“It is a merger of all commercial units of the ATP and the WTA, in particular to manage all media rights, partnerships and data of the two circuits,” he added. “The goal is to be operational by the end of 2025. This is not easy, but I am optimistic.”
