Federer suggests Men’s and Women’s tennis bodies merge

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Roger Federer suggested that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) should merge in these trying times in the world of tennis.

He described that the sport of tennis is at a standstill amid the COVID-19 pandemic and both WTA and ATP should do something.

In his tweet, Federer said, “Just wondering. Am I the only one thinking that now is the time for men and women’s tennis to be united      and come together as one?”

After Swiss Maestro’s tweet, WTA founder Billie Jean King then showed support, saying that the merger “has long been my vision for tennis.”

“I agree, and have been saying so since the early 1970s. One voice, women and men together… Let’s make it happen,” she tweeted.

Federer’s tweet then was shared and was retweeted by different tennis stars including Nick Kyrgios, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, and Garbine Muguruza.

The 20-time grand slam champion believes that if both ATP and the WTA merge as one, then the current problems the tennis world is facing will have a quicker response and will present a wider array of solutions.

“These are tough times in every sport and we can come out of this with 2 weakened bodies or 1 stronger body,” Federer added.