Rumors in the tennis world becoming a reality? According to the man who eats, sleeps, and breathes tennis, IMG has put Miami and Madrid up for sale. IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events, and media. They manage some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons, and they also own and operate several such events annually. So, their decision to sell both of these iconic tournaments is like a bolt from the blue to some, but for others, it was ‘bound to happen.’ Tennis rumors have yet again taken the headlines!

The Miami Open and Madrid Open sit just a smidge below the Grand Slam tournaments in terms of significance. Saudi Arabia had a long desire to buy these two iconic tournaments and now Craig Shapiro’s tweets perhaps show the reality in the middle of all tennis rumors. He wrote, “I’m being told IMG has Miami and Madrid are up for sale.”

He further added, “Bankers shopping em, the whole shebang. Floor price is 500 million each. Being told the PIF will buy Miami, and ultimately move it because the venue is a dog.” Saudi Arabia’s influence in the tennis world has been steadily growing over the past few months. Previously, they confirmed being the host of ATP’s Next Gen Finals from 2023 to 2027, and then they held two exhibition events, including a match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

The country even wanted to host the WTA Tour Finals and also showed interest in hosting the United Cup. Now, with this news of them getting an inch closer to buying the Miami Open, the tennis world would perhaps be yet again divided into two parts. One will back this move, while others will portray their disagreement. Here’s what tennis bigwigs had said previously about these tennis rumors.

“It wouldn’t shock me” – American tennis legend reflects his thoughts on tennis rumors involving PIF buying high-profile tournaments

The tennis world has been divided into two parts ever since the news of Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the racquet sport broke out. Some of them highlighted the controversies persisting in the country. Others believe tennis can help inspire a positive change by competing in Saudi Arabia. They feel it’s a vital step to make tennis reach every corner of the world.

However, the seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe had already stated that if these tennis rumors came true in the near future, “It wouldn’t shock me. Let’s put it this way: money talks.” McEnroe had previously shared his worries about LIV Golf as he clubbed it with the disapproval of Saudi Arabia having a major hand in the racquet sport.

The Miami Open was already rumored to be struggling financially over the past few years. There were reports that they even limited the basic stuff for volunteers and openly cited “budget constraints.” Persons who have been involved with this tournament in the past say they moved to the new facility and presumably took a significant debt to do so one year before the pandemic. Along with that, they had pressure every year to match the prize money of Indian Wells, and this might have led to this decision. However, if IMG gets replaced by PIF, will they be able to solve the existing problems?