Stakhovsky on Roger Federer's proposal: I have nothing against women's tennis

Former world No. 31 Sergiy Stakhovsky says there is a real possibility of seeing the ATP and WTA merge. 

Last week, Roger Federer suggested  on Twitter this could be a good time for the ATP and WTA to merge. 

Just wondering…..am I the only one thinking that now is the time for men’s and women’s tennis to be united and come together as one?

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020

I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the 2 governing bodies (ATP and WTA) that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours….

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020

Stakhovsky was criticized for some of his comments on women's tennis in the past but he claims he has nothing against a women's tennis. 

During his IG live Sergiy Stakhovsky appears to be supportive of ATP & WTA merger, says it's a real possibility. Also says he never had anything against women's tennis—just didn't like WTA leadership that did a very poor job promoting their product and never acknowledged that.

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 29, 2020

Stakhovsky, now ranked at No. 167 in the world, thinks the WTA would benefit from merging with the ATP.

Says female players are actually underpaid because WTA did little to attract sponsors and increase prize money on their own. Whether the merger is a success will depend on who's in charge of the unified tour, especially its marketing strategy.

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 29, 2020

Says he spoke with ATP leadership recently and they are confident they can "push the WTA up to new level" if they are put in charge. Also says if/when women's tennis has the same marketing tools and resources as men's one, the equal prize money dispute should be easier to settle.

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 29, 2020

The Ukrainian also thinks the merger would help the WTA in creating an equal prize money. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3d43Z8C