The "most intriguing match" in the world of professional tennis at this "edgy stage is the one between the French Open organizers and tennis’s other power brokers," according to Christopher Clarey of the N.Y. TIMES. The tournament leadership’s unilateral decision on March 17 to "abandon its traditional slot in late May and early June and announce a move to late September and early October has created an ocean of bruised feelings." Tennis Channel's Jim Courier said, "The French Open has recognized pretty quickly the error of stepping on people’s toes without giving them enough warning. I think there have been lots of discussions among the powers that be since then." Int'l Tennis Federation President David Haggerty said, "They’ve learned the need to collaborate on decisions that are such important decisions for tennis." Clarey notes long-term losses "could mean that tennis’s stakeholders might finally be willing to cooperate and fix some long-term problems, above all the sport's overstuffed, oft-conflicted schedule." Former ATP Exec Chair & President Chris Kermode said, "No one envisaged this situation, but this is the time where it can have a massive reset." Though Kermode thinks that sponsorships and the market for media rights will "recede for quite a while, he also sees hope in the potential for unity among the sport’s stakeholders" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/3).
TRYING TO SUPPORT PLAYERS: Tennis player Kristie Ahn, a member of the eight-person WTA Player Council, noted that many players have reached out with concerns about the loss of playing opportunities and said the tour has been "trying to tackle as many as possible.” Ahn: “Everybody is trying to put their heads together and come up with a solution that will benefit hopefully as many players as possible.” She noted financial security "is not quite there" for players not ranked in the Top 100. Ahn: "The feeling of unsteadiness in the 100+ is growing. We are definitely looking to help those players as much as we can. ... Hopefully within the next couple weeks we can put together a more concrete plan. But ideas are being thrown out there just trying to see which way is the best way forward” (“Tennis Channel Live,” Tennis Channel, 4/2).
