Andy Murray hints at INEVITABLE financial merger between Saudi and ATP, could play in the desert since ‘many sports are going that way’

The Briton admits that he will reluctantly play in Saudi Arabia if major tournaments are held there.

Andy Murray hints at INEVITABLE financial merger between Saudi and ATP, could play in the desert since ‘many sports are going that way’

Andy Murray (AP)

With the Wimbledon Championships around the corner, British tennis player Andy Murray opened up about potentially competing in tennis tournaments in Saudi Arabia. He believes that competing in them could become mandatory in the future and that he may have to play there, albeit reluctantly.

Discussions between ATP and Saudi’s PIF (Public Investment Fund) have been in full flow since ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi’s first comments on the same. However, the reaction to this news has not been positive thus far.

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Murray has, on record, previously refused to partake in any tennis events in Saudi Arabia due to its poor reputation for violating human rights. He has reportedly refused offers of up to 1.5 million pounds to play in exhibition tournaments in Saudi. However, he highlighted that he will be forced to participate if the ATP decides to move tournaments there one day.

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Holding major tournaments in Saudi Arabia would force him to participate, states Andy Murray

Andy Murray
Andy Murray (GETTY)

Andy Murray has softened his opinions about playing in Saudi Arabia, weeks after insisting he would never consider competing in the country. The Briton admitted he is considering a U-turn on playing in Saudi Arabia.

“In the past when we were asked to go and play there, we were asked to go and play exhibition tournaments. If they become major tournaments on the tour, it becomes a slightly different question,” Murray remarked.

“It’s a difficult one, really, based on how the tour and the rankings and everything work. When you start missing them, you obviously get penalized for that. It’s definitely something I would have to think about. Unfortunately, that’s the way that a lot of sports seem to be going now,” he added

While Murray might reconsider and decide to play in Saudi, John McEnroe does not share his views. The tennis legend urged tennis authorities to stay away from the merger and not follow the path taken by golf and soccer. “I’m not surprised (to hear the ATP and PIF are in talks). I wouldn’t encourage it, me personally, the Saudi thing, but I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf,” McEnroe said.

However, other tennis stars on tour appear to be seated on the Saudi bandwagon bus. Tennis superstars Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, too, have recently spoken in favor of the merger and have shown a willingness to play in Saudi Arabia.

With Wimbledon around the corner, this matter shall perhaps be muted for a while. How will these discussions between the ATP and the Saudi’s PIF pan out over the course of the next few weeks? Stay tuned at FirstSportz and find out.

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