Nick Kyrgios has reacted to the news that the ATP and WTA are holding discussions about merging the Tours amid fears that Saudi Arabia could threaten them with its own rival tour.

Representatives from the ATP and WTA will reportedly meet in London next month to discuss the merger after increased interest from Saudi Arabia in the sport. ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and WTA Chief Executive Officer Steve Simon will be among those at the meeting.

This comes as a response to Saudi Arabia's greater involvement in the sport, as they put themselves forward to host more tournaments and even potentially set up a rival tour.

Many are concerned about these developments, fearing that tennis will become like golf, where a merger between the Professional Golf Association and Saudi Arabia's rival league LIV Golf was backed by the country's Public Investment Fund, meaning they essentially bought the sport.

Read also

2023 US Open Prize Money and Points Breakdown with record $65.000.000 on offer

Kyrgios reacts to merger talks

At the same time, it has been confirmed that the Next Gen ATP Finals will be moved to the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah until 2027, and there are strong suggestions that the WTA Finals will be held in the country's capital city of Riyadh.

While this has drawn criticism from several players past and present - including John McEnroe and Daria Kasatkina - with some pointing out the country's poor human rights record, others have expressed their approval of the increased Saudi influence.

One of the most vocal of these has been 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios. Previously, he tweeted his support, citing monetary reasons.

"FINALLY. THEY SEE THE VALUE. WE ARE GOING TO GET PAID WHAT WE DESERVE TO GET PAID. SIGN ME UP," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Read also

Phenomenal Ostapenko claims victory over Swiatek, ends US Open reign as champion and World No. 1

Therefore, it is little surprise that the 28-year-old reacted with confusion and disdain to the news of merger discussions between the ATP and WTA.

"Does that mean we merge the draws?????" he captioned a post as he retweeted the news.

"Genuine question," he wrote underneath.

Several fans reacted to his comments. While some said that it was a 'good question', others were more negative toward his words.

"Probably a path for better management and equal pay!" commented one.

"No, only price [prize] money!" added another, alluding to the current gaps in prize money between the ATP and WTA Tours.

Nicholas Kyrgios

@NickKyrgios

·Follow

Does that mean we merge the draws?????

Eurosport

@eurosport

According to The Telegraph, ATP and WTA bosses will meet later this month to discuss a potential merger 👀

2.8K

Reply

Copy link

Read 230 replies