Recently we learned that the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour was in discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding possible PIF investment in the tour.
Saudi Arabia’s next major sports investment could be tennis.
The Saudi royalty-backed PIF — already invested in golf, soccer, F1, and WWE — has had “positive” discussions with the ATP Tour about a potential investment.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 26, 2023
Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP tour chair, mentioned that there would be parameters if PIF did get involved; tennis history would have to be kept at the forefront.
Gaudenzi indicated that cash is not the reason the ATP is involved in the discussions.
“There’s many ways to become an investor of the ecosystem. It’s not only about creating a new tour or buying a tournament.”
The timing for this news is both interesting and odd.
Golf is trying to figure out its future path with PIF involved, and arguably tennis’s greatest tournament Wimbledon is about to kick off on July 3 with a purse of $56.6 million.
As expected, there were reactions to this news.
Players like Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios were open to the opportunity.
Tennis legends like John McEnroe and Chris Evert have a different take.
What McEnroe Said
McEnroe seemed shocked why tennis would consider an alliance with PIF given the precarious situation the PGA is in.
“I don’t know why in the hell tennis would suddenly be; let’s talk to the Saudis after the debacle that you’re watching in golf. To me, it’s comical that it’s even being brought up right now.”
McEnroe added that it is out of his hands, but he does not think tennis should be going in this direction.
What Evert Said
Evert agreed with McEnroe.
“I think it’s sportswashing. I don’t think we need to go there.”
Is the ATP just being diplomatic with the discussions, or could there be Saudi Arabian PIF involvement in the tour’s future?
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