Roger Federer calls for ATP and WTA to merge and ‘come together as one during tough times’

Several lower-tier professionals have been left in financially unstable positions due to tennis’s suspension

Roger Federer has called for tennis’s governing bodies, the men’s ATP and women’s WTA, to merge as the sport reckons with the impact of the coronavirus crisis on lower-tier professionals.

The tennis season was suspended in March due to the pandemic, with Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since the Second World War, and players on the lower end of the scale have in some cases been left in precarious financial positions.

“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?” Federer wrote on Twitter.

“I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the two governing bodies (ATP and WTA) that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours….

“It’s too confusing for the fans when there are different ranking systems, different logos, different websites, different tournament categories.

“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 two weakened bodies or one stronger body.”

The ATP and WTA are currently working with the International Tennis Federation and various stakeholders to create a fund to help players left in vulnerable circumstances.