Recent negotiations between the ATP and Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund concerning potential investment have been blasted by John McEnroe.
Last week the chairman of the men’s Tour, Andrea Gaudenzi, confirmed that he has held ‘positive’ talks with members of the PIF concerning the possibility of the group investing in the sport. Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sport over the past few years with some of their most notable moves being the £300M takeover of Premiership football Club Newcastle United and their funding of the LIV Golf Tour. It is widely expected that their next move could be into tennis with speculation that the country will host the ATP Next Gen finals.
However, McEnroe has voiced concern over any such move following what has happened in golf. The LIV Tour was a rival tour in the sport which created tension before a controversial merger between them was announced a few weeks ago.
“I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf,” McEnroe said during a call with reporters on Wednesday ahead of Wimbledon. “I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing. It’s not in my hands.”
“I don’t know why in the hell tennis would suddenly be; let’s talk to the Saudis after the debacle that you’re watching in golf. To me, it’s comical that it’s even being brought up right now,” he added.
Gaudenzi, who was recently elected to head the ATP Tour for another three years, has played down the threat of a similar takeover happening in tennis. Saying that any investor must be willing to “stick to respecting the history of the sport and the product, working with the current stakeholder rather than against”.
There has also been support from some players regarding playing tournaments in the Middle Eastern nation. Nick Kyrgios responded to news of the talks on Twitter by writing ‘finally, they see the value. We are going to get paid what we deserve to get paid. Sign me up.’ Meanwhile, men’s world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz said he expected to be playing in the country in the future.
“Unfortunately, it’s like money talks, that’s all that matters. But I don’t think that’s all that matters,” McEnroe said. “Eventually, you get bought out. It’s like, at some point, someone will offer too much.”
18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert has also voiced her opposition to Saudi investment. She has accused the country of using sport to try and improve its image. Saudi Arabia has faced a lot of scrutiny over their human rights record and treatment of minorities.
“I think it’s sportswashing. I don’t think we need to go there,” she said.
According to the BBC, the current value of the PIF is estimated to be in the region of £514bn.
