The WTA have rejected claims from Kazakhstani tennis chief, Yuri Polsky, who alleged WTA is on the brink of collapse. The vice president of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation sensationally claims that the WTA will likely file for bankruptcy in the next three or four years.
According to Russian newspaper Championat, Polsky claimed that the WTA are “desperately” adding more tournaments to their schedule in the hopes of increasing their revenue and raises concerns that if this isn’t done correctly then it could lead to dire financial times for the WTA and, as a result, bring an end to the rumoured merger with the ATP.
“They are in a very bad place and could even go bankrupt in 2026 or 2027 if their financial situation doesn’t change,” Polsky said. “For the WTA, it is a matter of survival; for the ATP a matter of reputation. [ATP leadership] doesn’t want them to collapse because the optics would be bad.
“The ATP is in good financial shape, the tour has reserves, the players have retirement funds. The ATP is exploring its options; the question is, on what conditions could the merger be achieved? It is unclear what ATP’s share [in a merged business] would be and to what extent the ATP is willing to subsidize the WTA.”
Polsky also says WTA would be the one paying for equal prize money in a potential merger. He added: “You have to understand that equal prize money doesn’t mean that Billie Jean King Cup and WTA Tour generate the same revenues as the men’s counterparts.
“It’s the reality… men’s tennis attracts a bigger audience. The ATP proposes to pool media rights together to sell them in one package for ATP & WTA events. Broadcasters would have to buy WTA tournament rights if they want to buy ATP ones. This way you kind of artificially inflate the WTA value.”
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon has rejected the notion that the WTA are facing difficult financial straits and states that the WTA is not considering a merger with the ATP. In a statement released to Tennis365, he said: “The WTA is in a healthy financial position, a merger with the ATP is not under consideration, and we are excited about our strong future during which we will continue grow and expand women’s tennis.
“Earlier this year, the WTA announced an increase of $400 million in compensation to players over the next 10 years maintaining the WTA’s position as the leading women’s sports organization globally.”
