This coronavirus outbreak and all the problems it has created or brought to the surface in the tennis world is sparking discussions about the possibility of merging the governing bodies of women’s and men’s tennis. The idea was first brought up by Roger Federer last month, many players have since voiced their support, while both WTA chief Steve Simon and ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi are also welcoming the suggestion.
According to ESPN, Simon said:
I’m not afraid of the full merger; I never have been. I would certainly be the first to support it, because I think then you truly have the business and the strategic principles all aligned, which is what you need to do.
Obviously it’s a long and winding road to get there, but I think it makes all the sense in the world.
This isn’t about trying to save the WTA. We’ll be fine, but look, if we’re going to do the right business thing and we’re finally going to bring the sport together, I think the WTA would be very supportive of this concept.
As Yahoo! Sports reports, Simon also commented:
It would keep us from competing against each other, everybody loses with that.
We’ll see what will happen and whether this major world crisis will bring historic changes to the tennis world.
