Saudi Arabia have reportedly launched an audacious bid worth £780,000,000 ($1billion) to takeover both the ATP and WTA Tours.
According to the Telegraph, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi briefed those present at the Premium Tour discussions on Saturday of the bid to merge both the men's and women's tours.
It's claimed that representatives for the four Grand Slams had left the room and are not part of the bid from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
But there's said to be a 90-day expiration period on the gigantic bid, meaning a decision will have to be made before Wimbledon this year.
Saudi Arabia is looking to takeover professional tennis
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Gaudenzi is reported to have held negotiations with PIF during the Australian Open.
Part of Saudi Arabia's main desire is said to be hosting a new Masters 1000 event to start the new season every year.
The idea has been opposed by Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley, who has been pushing back proposals from Gaudenzi over the past year.
The Saudi Arabia bid now risks adding more fuel to the fire of the rift among tennis' bigwigs.
The PIF made a small breakthrough in the men's tour last month when they announced a 'strategic partnership' with the ATP Tour.
The men's rankings as well as the year-end world No 1 trophy have been renamed after PIF.
"Our strategic partnership with PIF marks a major moment for tennis," ATP chief executive Massimo Calvelli said of the deal a few weeks ago.
"It's a shared commitment to propel the future of the sport."
There has been on-court PIF branding at Indian Wells this month with sponsorship deals also in place for events in Miami, Madrid and Beijing.
PIF has already sponsored Indian Wells
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The WTA have already toyed with taking investment from Saudi Arabia by moving their season-ending finals to the Middle East.
WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon is said to have been progressing in talks with Saudi officials with a breakthrough expected to be made in the near future.
The season-ending tournament has been played in four different countries in consecutive years with Cancun hosting the 2023 edition.
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