The ATP have thrown open the bidding course of for a tenth Masters 1000 occasion, in all probability staged within the first week of the season, in order that the Saudi billions could have competitors from different oil-rich states.
A fortnight in the past, Telegraph Sport revealed that the Saudis had made a ten-figure supply, with a 90-day “take it or go away it” expiration date.
That bid labored out at a mixed complete of US$1.3bn throughout the lads’s and girls’s excursions, and took on this new Masters occasion together with sponsorship rights and different match commitments together with a WTA Finals in Riyadh.
It was unveiled in Indian Wells simply over two weeks in the past by ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi, who controversially allowed representatives of the 4 grand slams to depart the room earlier than he revealed the Saudi bid to the ATP’s match administrators.
However the ATP have now determined to provide the Qataris, the Emiratis and Tennis Australia an opportunity to put rival presents. Actually, there may very well be two separate Emirati bids – one coming from Dubai and one from Abu Dhabi – to run alongside these from Doha, Riyadh and Melbourne (though some sources count on Tennis Australia to show down the invitation).
In a press release given to Telegraph Sport, the ATP insisted that the tenth Masters is a part of their technique for unifying tennis – though the grand-slam representatives who have been reduce out of Gaudenzi’s authentic Saudi revelation in Indian Wells may elevate an eyebrow in response.
The assertion says: “Now we have constantly referred to as for extra collaboration in tennis, advocating for a shared governance construction, with truthful illustration for the gamers, and a centralised industrial technique throughout tennis.
“Our roadmap consists of the potential creation of a tenth ATP Masters 1000 match. An official bid course of is presently underway.”
Telegraph Sport understands that the Saudis have now withdrawn their authentic $1.3bn supply however are anticipated to resubmit a brand new bid as a part of this tender course of. The window for functions could be very tight, because the ATP board need to focus on the bids in the course of the Madrid Masters in 5 weeks’ time.
Certainly, that Madrid match now seems to be more likely to be the venue for the subsequent showdown between the oil-funded ATP plan and the grand slams’ rival intention to create a streamlined “Premium Tour”.
In idea, these two initiatives might probably co-exist – however not if the tenth Masters occasion is scheduled within the first week of the season, as that will reduce throughout established Tennis Australia tournaments such because the United Cup, and solely exacerbate the prevailing ill-feeling between Gaudenzi and Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley.
One potential compromise might contain rescheduling this new Masters occasion in order that it runs in February, though that will require hefty compensation funds to the various smaller tournaments now occupying that area.
