Managers of the Saudi billions are hovering in possible hopes of snapping up a piece of the ATP, with London’s Mail Online reporting that money gurus have been in talks with Tour honcho Andrea Gaudenzi.
The former player whose ranking topped out at 18 nearly three decades ago might end up as easy picking for the spreadsheet jockeys who have already put the kingdom’s money to work by devouring golf’s PGA with their own LIV Tour.
The tabloid reports that the massive Saudi national investment fund could easily drop a large sum to get a foothold on court.
Reports have been circulating for months that a future ATP NextGen Finals edition could be held in the Middle East stronghold.
The no-limits money gurus already own UK Premier League Newcastle United and have managed to entice footballers Cristiano Ronaldo into the local domestic league with a payday the Brazilian could not refuse.
The Public Investment Fund is also reportedly interested in dropping USD 16 billion to buy Formula One rights.
Gaudenzi will need to have his wits about him as he engages in the match of his life against a tsunami of Saudi oil dollars.
The ex-athlete has warned that outside investors need to “stick to respecting the history of the sport and the product, working with the current stakeholder rather than against.”
He told the Financial Times: ‘You have to preserve something which is almost sacred, the rules of the game.
“This is not a video game. If you’re a golf fan you want to see the top players against each other. You want one ranking and one simple story.’
Main photo:- ATP Boss Andrea Gaudenzi will need to have his wits about him in negotiations with Saudi’s PIF
