ATP and WTA Meet in Madrid: Major Decisions Ahead for Joint Tourneys

In terms of sports, the joint event in Madrid raises interesting questions – such as how the two local heroes Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will present themselves. But behind the scenes, decisions are being made or at least being prepared that will have a major impact on the future of the sport. It remains to be seen at least in a good way.

+++ Don’t miss any more tennis news – subscribe to our WhatsApp channel! +++

It is clear that the ATP and the WTA are getting closer and closer. And first at the economic level. It could be possible to jointly market the tours for men and women. The big question, though: what will these tours look like?

One thing is clear: There should be a tenth ATP Masters 1000 tournament. There are several wishes for this: Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Train, and maybe Australia too. One of the problems, however, is the date, as a BBC report nicely explains: 1000 before the Australian Open which would set the stage for the Australian summer of tennis (if not it happens in Sydney, for example).

After the first major of the year, the South American clay court circuit and European indoor tournaments suffered. And maybe the choice of 1000 could be held on grass between Roland Garros and Wimbledon only in Great Britain.

Big tennis in Stuttgart, Munich, Barcelona – is it over?

The idea of ​​a “Premium Tour”, which would include the four majors and the ten 1000s, is still simmering. These tournaments would award 50 to 60 “tour cards,” similar to golf. The remaining events, ie all 250cc and 500cc competitions, would be downgraded to qualifying tour status. It is understandable that the directors of the competition do not accept this suggestion that could have an effect.

From the players’ point of view, there are at least two approaches: The burden would certainly be reduced for the top players if they actually played the Premium Tour. On the other hand: If you have a tour card, you are about 50th in the world rankings, and they regularly lose in round one – how fun can that be?

Last week in particular has shown how much fun tennis can be at regular tournaments, whether it’s in Stuttgart for women or in Munich and Barcelona for men. If these events lose status and, above all, big names, tennis would not be served. No wonder the unrest behind the scenes is getting bigger and bigger.