Federer: Let us unite

Roger Federer used a string of tweets yesterday to call for the merger of the governing bodies for the men's and women's professional tennis tours, sparking a conversation among players and fans.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion's comments drew plenty of support, including from rival Rafael Nadal and 12-time major singles champion Billie Jean King, who founded the WTA and has long said that men and women should share one tour.

"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?" Federer wrote, leading to a flurry of responses online.

The professional era in tennis started in 1968, and the ATP was founded in 1972, running the men's game since. The women's WTA began a year later. The idea, not new, but spotlighted by Federer: combine the two into a single body.

"It probably should have happened a long time ago," Federer wrote. "But maybe now is really the time."

King agreed, noting that the suspension of the tours until at least mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic might offer an opportunity to study restructuring tennis.

"Now I think it's a possibility. A real possibility. And why not?" King said yesterday. "I just think this would be so huge for our sport. I'm just so happy Roger said something."

Federer's statements came a day after the ATP and WTA announced they were joining with the four Grand Slam tournaments and the International Tennis Federation to form a relief fund that will offer money to lower-ranked players in need of financial help because of the COVID-19 outbreak.-AP