“When these discussions happen it’s quite important not just to see this merger through a man’s eyes and to bring more women into the decision-making positions so that everyone’s voice gets heard,” That was two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray‘s honest perspective on a potential tennis merger between the ATP and WTA. For years, talks have been going between the two bodies for a collaboration to succeed together as one entity. Now it appears the long-rumored synchronization might be on its way.

According to the latest report, dated October 16, from Daniel Kaplan of Awful Announcing, the “ATP and WTA Tours are very close to agreeing to merge their commercial operations”. It is what the CEO of professional tennis at the USTA, Stacey Allaster, mentioned during a conference by Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. “Right now, it’s the closest ever to bringing together their commercial assets,” she said. “They are on the doorstep of signing and they will become one commercial entity.”

For the uninitiated, this merger has been in talks for years now. Unfortunately, the main issue delaying it has been the split of revenue between the ATP and WTA. The ATP has tried to convince the women’s tennis body that men’s tennis is more popular and commercially more valuable. Especially when compared to solo women’s tournaments. The WTA wanted a 50-50 split, but the ATP was not on the same page. To begin with, it was looking for an 80-20 split, according to previous reports.

Speaking of why being one entity may work for ATP and WTA, it is because “selling a single media package is more compelling to broadcasters and will lead to wider coverage”. Not to mention the “Marketing TV and streaming sponsorships across all the tournaments becomes possible, and the data deals (selling scores and other digital info to gambling interests) are much more attractive.”

If the merger does take place, the new entity might be called Tennis Ventures. It was suggested by the ATP chief Andrea Gaudenzi earlier this month. He is hopeful for the collaboration to become a reality by 2027.“I am positive and optimistic, even though we are a month-and-a-half away (from the ATP Finals), because I would say there are a couple of outstanding items that if we can sort those out, everything will fall nicely into place.”

When it comes to notable tennis figures, even they are eager for the merger to happen. Take for example the WTA icon Billie Jean King, ATP legend Roger Federer, and several others.

What Billie Jean King, Roger Federer said on potential ATP/WTA tennis merger

Billie Jean King has always wanted a joint tour for men’s and women’s tennis. It has been on her agenda ever since she founded the Women’s Tennis Association back in 1973.

Five years ago, when reports surfaced of talks between the WTA and ATP regarding collaboration, King expressed her excitement. “I did have a chance to talk with Roger, and he said the reason he even thought about this is because he finally had some space and time to reflect and think about the sport,” reported Sky Sports in May 2020. “We have to stay together as a sport.”

Her reaction came on the heels of 20-time slam king Roger Federer coming with the idea of a merger. Earlier in 2020, he shared a post on his X account. It read, “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?”

In response to his post, Billie Jean King later wrote, “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.”

Even 22-time slam champion and Federer’s longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal agreed. He replied saying, “Hey Roger Federer, 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.”

It will be intriguing to see how the ongoing talks about the merger shape up, eventually. But the big question moving forward is: should there actually be a single entity for men’s and women’s tennis?