John McEnroe delivers warning after Nick Kyrgios backs Saudi tennis investment

John McEnroe has fired a warning to the ATP about the dangers of entertaining Saudi investment in elite tennis, citing the current “debacle” in golf as an example of why the idea is “comical”. But top tour star Nick Kyrgios isn’t on the same page.

Andrea Gaudenzi, the chairman of the men’s tour, confirmed last week that he has held “positive” talks with representatives of Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund (PIF) – the same group that has invested heavily in other sports including the £300m takeover of Premier League football club Newcastle United and the creation of the controversial LIV Golf, which successfully lured top-class golfers from the PGA Tour by offering eye-watering sign-on fees.

PIF are widely expected to add an investment in tennis to their growing sports portfolio, with speculation rife that the Arab state could host the next ATP Next Gen finals.

Seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe is dubious of any deal, particularly after observing the widescale disruption that has been caused in the world of golf. LIV Golf’s breakaway tour caused a huge rift between top players, with a large group of former PGA stars rebelling to join the new tour in exchange for guaranteed millions.

And the future of the men’s game was given a seismic shake just weeks ago when it was announced that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf have agreed to merge into one entity, effectively giving PIF a seat at the top table of the sport.

Speaking on a press call with reporters ahead of next week’s Wimbledon Championships, McEnroe said: “I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf. I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing. It’s not in my hands.

“I don’t know why in the hell tennis would suddenly be; let’s talk to the Saudis after the debacle that you’re watching in golf. To me, it’s comical that it’s even being brought up right now.”

Gaudenzi has tried to play a diplomatic role in the conversation and has batted away the suggestion of a similar takeover in tennis to the one now being witnessed in golf. After recently being re-elected as the head of the ATP tour for another three years, he insisted that any investor must be willing to “stick to respecting the history of the sport and the product, working with the current stakeholder rather than against”.

McEnroe’s concerns about Saudi investment are not shared by outspoken ATP star Kyrgios, who believes it will bring a fairer return on the dedication and investment made by the tour’s players.

The Australian Tweeted: “Finally, they see the value. We are going to get paid what we deserve to get paid. Sign me up.”

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has also said that he expects to be playing in Saudi Arabia in the future, but McEnroe is not impressed by the apparent riches on offer. He added: “Unfortunately, it’s like money talks, that’s all that matters. But I don’t think that’s all that matters. Eventually, you get bought out. It’s like, at some point, someone will offer too much.”