Google News Marat Safin & Mikhail Youzhny on Roger Federer's ATP-WTA merger suggestion
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 7011
Former Russian tennis stars Marat Safin and Mikhail Youzhny think it's a good idea to merge the ATP and WTA. Several days ago, record 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer suggested this was the ideal time to make major things in tennis.
Just wondering…..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? — Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
Safin, a former two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, suggested the WTA would profit from merging with the ATP. Safin, who retired from professional tennis in 2009, was on Instagram Live with fellow compatriot Youzhny on Sunday.I am not talking about merging competition on the court, but merging the 2 governing bodies (ATP and WTA) that oversee the men’s and women’s professional tours….
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) April 22, 2020
Youzhny, a former 10-time ATP champion and world No. 8, agreed with Safin the WTA would profit from merging with the ATP. "I work in tennis and I can't name WTA's Top 10.Safin, on IG live with Youzhny, calls WTA/ATP merger an interesting "idea" that could allow tennis as a whole to market its product better but says that women's tennis separately "doesn't sell at all without Kournikova, Sharapova and Williams."
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 26, 2020
I probably know those players but I couldn't tell if they are ranked Top 10 or not," Youzhny claimed.
Youzhny, who retired from professional tennis in 2018, now works with rising Canadian star Denis Shapovalov.Youzhny agrees. "I work in tennis and I can't name WTA's Top 10. I probably know those players but I couldn't tell if they are ranked Top 10 or not."
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 26, 2020
Youzhny on IG live about life in Florida (he's with Shapo there):
I go out whenever I want, wherever I want.Don't go to restaraunts though. — Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) April 26, 2020