British tennis star, Andy Murray shared his views on the new sponsorship deal struck between the ATP and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). He showed concerns over the structure and plans for the utilization of the sponsorship’s money.
On Wednesday, The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) announced their multi-year partnership through a press release. The move had been heavily anticipated for the past two years as the Saudi influence on sports continues to grow rapidly. With this deal secured, the PIF has now become the official naming partner of the Men’s ATP rankings.
Tennis superstar Andy Murray, in a recent press conference, addressed the news and highlighted the importance of investing the funds strategically and efficiently. He called for a structured approach that not only benefits the upper echelon but develops the grassroots of the sport as well.
“Obviously there’s going to be a lot of money coming in, I would imagine, but I hope that that’s not just coming into the top of the game,” Murray said.
Andy Murray, and John McEnroe, among other stars, have previously voiced their concerns about the growing influence of Saudi Arabia’s investments rupturing the current landscape of tennis as they did in the case of Golf, Boxing, and other sports.
The British star said that even though he did not know the details of the deal and how it was going to be structured, he expects the ATP to use the funds wisely as a net positive for the sport.
“I hope that there’s a plan in place to help actually, if this is what the sport is wanting to happen, there’s a plan in place for the grassroots of the sport down the Futures levels, the junior events, investing in that level to show there’s a real care for the sport and the future of the sport. And if that’s the case then I guess it can be positive. Let’s see,” he expressed his expectations from the move.
The ATP announces partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 28, 2024
The PIF will become the official naming partner of the ATP rankings.
They will also be a sponsor for Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, & ATP Finals.
Andy Murray recently said one of his concerns is… pic.twitter.com/bfeSd9JCt1
“I’m not sure what their plan is,” Andy Murray, unsure of the investment strategy of the Saudis
Andy Murray was asked about his thoughts on tennis being at risk of an invasion by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the rumors of a ‘Premier Super Tour’ being planned.
The British 3-time Grand Slam champion said that he was unaware of how the investments are going to affect tennis in the future. He said that the sport is currently in an ‘unstable’ state and not a lot can be predicted about the future.
“There’s obviously been discussions with Saudi Arabia and the PIF; who’s going to work with them and what’s that going to look like? Will that be a tournament that happens there? Will it be multiple tournaments? Will there be like this ‘premier super tour’ that the Slams are creating with Saudi Arabia? I don’t know. I don’t know what it’s going to look like,” Andy Murray said prior to the announcement of the deal.
