Lob and Smash
Fansided

Assessing the likelihood of an ATP-WTA merger – Is it possible?

By Brandon Daniels

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland are interviewed on court following their mixed doubles match during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 01: Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland are interviewed on court following their mixed doubles match during day four of the 2019 Hopman Cup at RAC Arena on January 01, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 21: Nick Kyrgios of Australia is interviewed by John McEnroe after winning his Men’s Singles first round match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day two of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 21: Nick Kyrgios of Australia is interviewed by John McEnroe after winning his Men’s Singles first round match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day two of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) /

Factors to be assessed – #1: ATP vs WTA revenue per year: How will that be shared?

One of the main reasons that this merger will have a hard time getting passed is due to the revenue income for both tours currently. In 2019, the ATP made almost $150 million USD in revenue, whereas the WTA was severely lacking behind. The last official report of yearly revenue was in 2014, where the ATP was making a staggering $107 million USD in comparison to the WTA’s $70 million. This is a huge difference in comparison to 2008, where the revenues were separated by only 4% ($61.3 million vs $58.7 million, in favor of the ATP).

If the two tours were to merge, it would mean that the total revenue earned by both would be shared, instead of each tour using their respective revenue incomes per year. It’s unlikely that the ATP will be willing to do this, considering the amount that they make in comparison.

Factors to be assessed – #2: What will the merger do to women’s tennis?

Arguably the biggest concern if the two tours were to merge would be what the opinion would be regarding the WTA. If the merger were to happen, it’s likely that a good amount of ATP players won’t be in favor of the move. Take Nick Krygios, for example. He’s one of a group of players who surely can’t see the light in the merger.

Merging with the ATP would change the opinions of women’s tennis, at least among some people. A good amount of people on the player and governing sides don’t view the women’s game the same as the men’s game. They bring in less revenue and simply aren’t regarded as pulling equal weight in the international popularity of the sport. If the merger were to happen, there will need to be an overwhelming amount of support for the women’s game pairing with the men’s game.

Home/Tennis News