• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 27, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Creation of History-making Premium Tour in Tennis Gathers Steam

  • Top players briefed on the potential effort combining Slams with top WTA and ATP events.
  • The Australian Open smashes its prior attendance record.
Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports

The prospect of a premium-level tour in pro tennis, including the four Grand Slams and other top men’s and women’s tournaments, is moving closer to reality after key stakeholders were briefed on the effort at the recently concluded Australian Open. 

Advancing a discussion held back in the fall regarding the potentially transformative notion, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley and U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster briefed top players during the tournament, according to The Telegraph in London, and the WTA is said to be particularly receptive to the idea. 

The effort, somewhat resembling how Formula 1 operates, seeks to achieve several goals. Perhaps foremost among them is the creation of an aggregated set of media and sponsorship rights that could garner more revenue than the ATP and WTA do separately. Additionally, the creation of a new tour would represent another major move for gender equality in pro sports while also creating a more streamlined schedule that is easier for both players and fans. 

A premier tour working group is now due to report to tennis leaders at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March. But there are still obstacles, including synchronizing commercial contracts across the sport and getting buy-in from both the ATP and WTA to downgrade some events into a lesser, developmental tour. 

“All the stakeholders in tennis have been working on a solution for the game. And it’s a journey to get to that point,” Tiley told The Telegraph. “The Slams are united in their resolve, but it’s a complex problem to solve. If it wasn’t complicated, it would have been solved already. These ideas aren’t new, but what may be new is the motivation to give it a go, and see if there’s that opportunity.”

G’Day, Mate

There was more history at the two-week Australian Open that ended Sunday as the first Grand Slam of 2024 finished with a total attendance of 1.02 million, beating the prior tournament record of 839,192, set last year, by a whopping 22%. Despite initial player concerns about match scheduling and new tournament offerings to attendees, such as a two-story courtside bar, Tiley hailed the event and its appeal to fans.

“It was the best Australian Open ever,” Tiley said, somewhat echoing a common Olympics refrain from former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch. “All of our metrics show that, from player feedback to fan experience.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 20, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Sparks co-owner Todd Boehly watches during game three of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
exclusive

Mark Walter’s Lakers Buy Includes Dodgers Co-Owner Todd Boehly

Jeanie Buss will retain a roughly 15% stake and remain team governor.

$100M Browns Stadium Settlement Still Faces Cleveland City Hurdles

Cleveland’s city council must still approve the pact with the Browns.

Lamar Jackson’s Practice Status Flip Sparks NFL Investigation

Baltimore could be disciplined for not properly disclosing Lamar Jackson’s status.
September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
Oct 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The 2025 World Series logo on the field at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger Stadium Games Could Push MLB Payouts to Record Highs

The Dodgers’ big ballpark and ticket prices help fuel postseason player pay.
Capitals
October 27, 2025

Capitals Fire Assistant Coach After Domestic Abuse Investigation

Assault and abuse cases are defining the start of the NHL season.
Oct 24, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning during game one of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
October 27, 2025

World Series Games Set Ratings Records on Canada’s Sportsnet

Canada continues to watch MLB broadcasts at historic levels.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Rob Manfred
October 25, 2025

Canada Could Get MLB Expansion Team, Manfred Says

The league has noted fast-rising fan interest north of the border. 
October 24, 2025

MLB Union Chief on Alert As NBA Gambling Scandal Unfolds

The union leader addresses labor and gambling-related concerns.
October 23, 2025

Underdog Blue Jays vs. Dodgers’ Mega-Payroll on MLB’s Global Stage

The high-profile matchup caps what has been a breakthrough season for the league.
Jun 18, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell Williams performs at the Sun Stage during the Something in the Water festival on Saturday, June 18, 2022 in Washington, DC.
October 23, 2025

MLB Will Try to Turn the World Series Into More Than Just..

The league has planned a series of showcase music performances in Toronto.