Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland cut the ribbon during the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Day 3 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland cut the ribbon during the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Day 3 of the Miami Open Presented by Itau on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The popularity and influence of Roger Federer stretch outside just the court, and into the sport in general. Recently, there was a word of update by the ATP Chairman, Andrea Gaudenzi, who sided with the 20-time Grand Slam winner’s previously made suggestion.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Some time ago, Roger Federer put forward the proposal of merging the ATP and the WTA, the legal governing bodies of the men’s and women’s game, respectively. Andrea felt that this association between the two bodies would only strengthen the unity between them.
He welcomed Federer’s suggestion and stated, “Bringing together men and women makes our product stronger. Because tennis is unique. We are the only sport with a very strong female product. We have 50% male fans and 50% female fans. immense luck.”
(Quotes translated using Google translate)
Gaudenzi : "Associer hommes et femmes rend notre produit plus fort. Parce que le tennis est unique. Nous sommes le seul sport avec un produit féminin très fort. On a 50 % de fans masculins et 50 % de fans féminins. C'est une immense chance."
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) November 1, 2021
The idea proposed in 2020 by Roger Federer
Last year, the Swiss ace had made public his idea of merging the two bodies. He felt that if they merge things will be more organized and less divided.
In 2020, Federer had proposed this idea. He had stated, “It probably should have happened a long time ago. But maybe now is really the time. It’s too confusing for the fans when there are different ranking systems, different logos, different websites, different tournament categories.”
Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 7, 2021 Switzerland’s Roger Federer acknowledges the spectators as he walks off the court after losing his quarter final match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz Pool via REUTERS/Ben Solomon
Coming to tennis, Federer ended his season after the Wimbledon Championships this year. He stated that he would need another knee surgery that would keep him out of the game for many months. We hope to see him on the Tour again and compete for the biggest titles against the top players once again.
What do you make of the merger between the ATP and WTA? Let us know in the comments
Watch this story: The Journey of Roger Federer to the Elite Billionaire’s Club
