Becker: 'Roger Federer started the ball rolling with his splendid idea'

Roger Federer dropped the bomb, Rafael Nadal followed him and Serena Williams, while canceling the message on Twitter, made it clear that the dialogues are really there: ATP and WTA together, a solution most likely to recover from the coronavirus pandemic that is creating enormous difficulties.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker gave a thumbs up to the unification of men and women’s tennis tour. “Roger Federer started the ball rolling with his splendid idea of joining forces and I think Nadal agrees. Not every top guy agrees that’s fine, but I think Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have a strong following. For Federer to suggest that, speaks for his intelligence and also that he truly cares about the game,” Boris Becker told Laureus.com.

“Think of the equal prize money we have in the majors. Men and women earn the same which I don’t think is happening in every sport. We are always progressive about going with the times, with equal rights, certainly on the tennis court. So a joint organization would be the next step. It’s a big step. He suggested maybe having joint tournaments.

We already have a few. In the US in Miami, you have men and women participating around the same time. The other ones, talking about the Masters series, are not there yet, but obviously would, in my opinion, be a step in the right direction. Once we get out of the tunnel, the new normal will be different. We still lie in a position to control the future if we get together and work together" - he added.

Also, not all organizers have the facility to host men and women’s events simultaneously. Even if they host it on two separate occasions, the tight calendars of tennis players will not permit additional tournaments in their schedule. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2zSc1TL