Here’s some news: PIF/Saudi Sovereign Wealth fund is about to buy @atptour ranking system (godpseed, Pepperstone) for five years. Watch for an announcement to launch at @bnpparisbasopen ….you have to imagine the @wta is next (with finals tie-in?)
Saudi Arabia set to buy ATP's ranking system as tennis fans share displeasure: "Watching tennis is gonna make me feel dirty"
Tennis NewsSaturday, 10 February 2024 at 07:30
Tennis fans have lashed out at the recent news that Saudi Arabia will allegedly be purchasing the ATP Ranking system through its Public Investment Fund (PIF), a Sovereign Wealth fund.
The Saudis have been engaged in talks with the ATP with regards to collaborative investments in the sport. Backed by the PIF, they also expressed its interest in hosting the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, an opportunity they successfully secured. Furthermore, there have been rumors that the country would like to host the WTA Finals sometime in the near future.
Fans upset at news regarding PIF purchase of ATP Ranking system
The news of the PIF purchase was broken by tennis journalist Jon Wertheim, who took to social media to claim that the PIF is on the verge of buying the ATP ranking system for the next five years, with the new project officially launching during the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
"Here’s some news: PIF/Saudi Sovereign Wealth fund is about to buy @atptour ranking system (godpseed, Pepperstone) for five years. Watch for an announcement to launch at @bnpparisbasopen ….you have to imagine the @wta is next (with finals tie-in?)" Wertheim had posted on Twitter.
Tennis fans were quick to respond to the breaking news, with several expressing their displeasure. A few even went as far as claiming they would stop watching tennis were the Saudi influence continue to grow.
"I’m starting to get the feeling that watching tennis is gonna make me feel dirty. And I don’t wanna feel dirty when I watch tennis. I guess I’m not gonna watch tennis anymore," wrote a fan on Twitter.
"Between this and Zverev, tennis is creating ethical and moral problems that are weakening the product/sport. I'll track the results, but am taking a break from watching matches," posted another fan.
"I will not watch or spend one cent on anything to do with Saudis. Goodbye tennis!" exclaimed an angry fan.
"I already watch much less tennis with the absence of Federer, this just makes it even easier to walk away," said another fan.
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