World No.1 Novak Djokovic says tennis must innovate, however he is nonetheless at midnight about discuss of a possible insurgent tour.
Rumours are rising {that a} LIV Golf-style elite tennis tour could possibly be launched, probably as early as 2025. The outrageous cash {that a} Saudi Arabian-backed league may throw on the world’s greatest tennis gamers could possibly be arduous to withstand.
Djokovic confused he would not know what’s going on behind the scenes, and has solely heard some rumours about what may come up sooner or later.
But for tennis basically, Djokovic is eager to see some modifications to be able to entice extra youthful followers.
“I’m generally always supportive of improving the sport,” Djokovic stated in Perth forward of his look for Serbia on the mixed-teams United Cup.
“I have said this many times before, that I think that tennis is not using its full potential.
“We are one of the vital globally watched and standard sports activities on the planet, however I believe that we’ve been fairly conservative and standard in sure elements, and that sadly hasn’t actually been an ideal enchantment to the youthful viewers.
“I’m a big supporter of our history and tradition and everything, I think we should always nurture that.
“But I believe we have to attempt to modify to the fashionable instances and attempt to perceive what the youthful viewers desires and actually make the tennis extra interesting to that group.
“So that’s in terms of general overview. And where I stand (on talk of a rebel tour), I have no idea what elite tour you’re talking about.
“I’ve heard rumours as nicely, however it’s, I assume, nonetheless early levels and we did not see something concrete on the market.”
Women’s world No.5 Jessica Pegula thinks it’s just a matter of time before a rebel tour is launched.
“I believe it is inevitable, to be sincere,” the American stated.
“There is numerous discuss. I really feel like there was for the previous 12 months or so.
“I feel like it’s going to happen eventually, because money talks, and they have infinite amounts of money and they seem to be involved in every single sport in the world except for ours.
“So I’m certain ours is coming.”
The arrival of LIV golf caused controversy, with many critics labelling it as sportswashing designed to cover up Saudi Arabia’s appalling human rights record.
Players who joined that rebel golf tour were banned from the PGA and European Tours.
World No.10 Taylor Fritz wonders if the same thing will happen in tennis.
“If it occurs, I believe the most important query mark goes to be in the event you compete on that tour, in the event you nonetheless are going to have the ability to play slams or not,” Fritz stated.
“We’ll see what occurs. I am unable to actually say if it is a good factor or not till you possibly can see how they’d construction the tour, how it might be.
“I do think the way the tour is now there are lots of things that could be improved.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
