In a series of tweets posted Wednesday, Roger Federer called for the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours to merge into one unified organization while the sport goes through an indefinite suspension due to coronavirus.
To be clear, Federer’s call to arms was not to suggest that the men’s and women’s game should merge on the court, but rather that it would be sensible for a single governing body to oversee both professional tours. “Just wondering,” the 20-time Grand Slam Champion wrote, “am I the only thinking that now is the time for men’s and women’s tennis to be united and come together as one?”
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?
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the 2 governing bodies (ATP and WTA) that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours….
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
The benefits of such an integration would be myriad for both players and fans, from packaged broadcasting rights to a more straightforward ranking system.
I agree with you, It’s too confusing for the fans when there are different ranking systems, different logos, different websites, different tournament categories. https://t.co/zX4XTr9Rr0
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
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 2 weakened bodies or 1 stronger body. https://t.co/30SbbAla5g— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
Federer’s longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal said he was fully in support of having one organization oversee men’s and women’s tennis.
Hey @rogerfederer as you know per our discussions I completely agree that it would be great to get out of this world crisis with the union of men's and women's tennis in one only organisation 🎾👍🏻 https://t.co/fTCfvMiU4G
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) April 22, 2020
And WTA founder and American tennis great Billie Jean King, who successfully campaigned for equal pay for men and women prior to the 1973 U.S. Open, also tweeted her support for Federer’s suggestion.
I agree, and have been saying so since the early 1970s. One voice, women and men together, has long been my vision for tennis.
The WTA on its own was always Plan B.
I’m glad we are on the same page.
Let’s make it happen. #OneVoice https://t.co/FHbQHLiY6v
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 22, 2020
The U.S. Open was the first of four major tennis tournaments to award men and women equal prize money. It took nearly three decades for the Australian Open to follow suit in 2001, with the French Open shifting to equal pay in 2006. The oldest tennis tournament in the sport’s history, Wimbledon, didn’t pay men and women equally until 2007.
The ATP was founded in 1972, while the WTA was founded in 1973.
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