Players want place at the table as tennis ponders landscape shift
Changes to the landscape of professional tennis appear inevitable in the coming years, and as blueprints are laid out and new tournaments proposed, the players are determined that their voices be heard.
The organisers of the Grand Slams in Indian Wells this month put forward a proposal for a radical overhaul of the elite game, while Saudi Arabia, having gained a foothold on the men's tour, is looking to increase its investment.
Everyone appears to believe that tennis can generate more revenue, but how the sport is structured and how the new money is distributed is likely to be negotiated over the next 18 months.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) believes that players should have at least a seat at the table.
"Regardless of the specifics surrounding any proposals, we're certain that improvements are possible," PTPA executive director Ahmad Nassar said.
"We're confident that there's a tremendous amount of additional value to be unlocked, which would directly benefit the players, fans and the industry as a whole."
"This untapped potential underscores our belief in the need for continuous player input and engagement."
The PTPA, founded in 2020 by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, is a new voice in a tennis world dominated by a number of sometimes cooperative, sometimes conflicting organisations.
The Grand Slams - the Australian Open, the French Open Wimbledon and the U.S. Open - are the biggest tournaments on the calendar and run their own shows, while the ATP looks after the elite men's tour and the WTA the women's.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) oversees the entire game, including junior tours, Olympic competitions, and the Davis and Billie Jean King Cups.
The COVID pandemic, which caused significant disruption at the top level of the game and cost stakeholders hundreds of millions of dollars, sparked discussions about streamlining the governance structure.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages more than $700 billion in assets, has also influenced the landscape of sports such as golf and football.
The PIF has already made its mark on the ATP world rankings and is partnering with some high-profile tournaments this season.
The United States Tennis Association's chief executive, Lew Sherr, who oversees the U.S. Open, made public last week the blueprint for the future drawn up by the four major tournament organisers.
"Tennis is an attractive sport, but ... it under-performs commercially," Sherr said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
"There are just too many tournaments that aren't viable ... Ten events drive 80% of all of the economics. Four of them are the Grand Slams plus six others."
"If we can lean in and try to address the structural issues the sport is facing, maybe there's a new opportunity."
The Grand Slams propose a streamlined "Premier Tour" that includes the four majors, ten other elite combined men's and women's events, one team competition, and season-ending finals.
Sherr stated that the new model, which would demote some 125 current ATP and WTA events to a lower tier, could generate an additional $1 billion in annual revenue for the game.
According to recent media reports, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has offered the same amount for both the ATP and WTA tours.
The ATP and PIF have declined to comment on the reports.
Some see the Premier Tour proposal as a response to the PIF's ambition to own and run an elite Masters tournament, which could take place before the year's first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Any attempt to squeeze a tournament into an already jam-packed schedule would exacerbate player and fan fatigue, according to American great John McEnroe.
Meanwhile, the ATP and WTA are pursuing mergers of commercial and media rights in order to make the tours more appealing to broadcasters and sponsors.
The WTA, which is widely expected to hold its season finale in Saudi Arabia, said via a spokesperson that it was looking into greater collaboration across the sport.
"These conversations have been ongoing for some time and, while they remain positive and constructive, currently there is no consensus across the sport over any preferred outcome," the WTA spokesperson said.
"The WTA will continue to focus on delivering another exciting season and executing our growth plans, while reviewing the proposals that are being put forth by Saudi Arabia and the Grand Slams."
The ITF stated that it would continue to participate in talks and is committed to ensuring the sport's long-term growth and sustainability.
"It's early days, rumours abound and there's speculation in the media," an ITF spokesperson said.
"We can assure you that the betterment of our sport will always be our focus and at the heart of any discussions that we are part of."
SportsLigue