Novak Djokovic has admitted he is “not sure” whether a total merge between the ATP and WTA tours could work because there are “a lot of differences.”
The world No 1 suggested he would, though, be in favour of merging the men’s and women’s tours “commercially”, but insisted he does not have any “inside information” on the topic.
Rumours over a possible merger between the ATP and WTA tours have circulated in tennis for a long time, with Roger Federer one big name who has shone light on the subject. The Swiss great sparked debate on the topic after urging the ATP and WTA Tours to combine.
“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? I am picturing a merger between the WTA and ATP,” Federer tweeted three years ago.
“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 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.”
With reports that Saudi Arabia intend to invest heavily in professional tennis, the prospect of the tours being brought into unison could become a reality if the sport is reshaped.
Following his four-set quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz at the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic was asked if he thought a merger would be a good idea.
“Yeah, I heard. I’m not sure if it’s like a total merge or is it only a commercial kind of collaboration or agreement between the two tours? I think to some extent it’s logical,” the legendary Serbian said.
“I mean, that if we are having so many combined events on the tour that, you know, we try to collaborate even further together and increase the value, I guess, of tennis overall.
“But, you know, when it comes to the total merge, I’m not so sure if that can work, to be honest, because a lot of things, there is still a lot of differences, you know, with the rules and the way that the tours operate. But commercially, yeah, I mean, why not?
“Let’s see what happens. I’m not in the council anymore, so I don’t have any inside information to share with you, but let’s see what happens.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will take on world No 4 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
