• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 27, 2025
Front Office Sports Launches Front Office Sports Studios Learn More

You Cannot Be Serious: John McEnroe Slams ATP’s Saudi Investment Talks

  • “I don’t know why the hell tennis would suddenly talk to the Saudis after the debacle that you’re watching in golf,” McEnroe says.
  • Fellow tennis legend Chris Evert labeled Saudi Arabia’s investments as “sportswashing.”
McEnroe "wouldn't encourage" the ATP's investment talks with Saudi Arabia.
Syndication: Desert Sun

Tennis legends John McEnroe and Chris Evert oppose a potential investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund into the ATP Tour.  

“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,” McEnroe said Wednesday on a call with reporters. “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,” added McEnroe, a New York native and seven-time Grand Slam champion.  

ATP chair Andrea Gaudenz said earlier this week that the men’s tennis tour has had “positive” discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund about a potential investment. The Kingdom’s fund has bankrolled LIV Golf’s controversial merger with the PGA Tour, bought English Premier League club Newcastle United, and has committed billions to draw soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to its Saudi Pro League.

“It looked to me like the PGA were total hypocrites when they cut a deal after they’ve been fighting [Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf], in my opinion,” said McEnroe. “At the same time, the people that are complaining about it, a lot of the people are hypocrites because our government does business with them along with tons of other hedge funds, wealth funds, you could down the list of people that have dealings.”

McEnroe’s impassioned comments came in an ESPN media call with Evert ahead of the duo’s Wimbledon coverage for the network, which begins July 1. This year’s Wimbledon tournament includes a record prize pool of $56.5 million.

“I think it’s sportswashing. I don’t think we need to go there,” Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam winner on the WTA Tour, said of Saudi Arabia’s sports investments. 

Nick Kygrios, the current 33rd-ranked player on the ATP Tour, emphatically celebrated the Tour’s investment talks with Saudi Arabia with a tweet that included 10 money bag emojis.

“Unfortunately, it’s like money talks, that’s all that matters. But I don’t think that’s all that matters,” McEnroe said. “Eventually, you get bought out. It’s like, at some point, someone will offer too much.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Wimbledon

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Washington's Ben Gorsage, right, and Orland Park Sandburg's Mateo Ramiro-Garcia tangle at the start of the Class 3A state 800-meter run Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Gorsage took third place, followed by Ramiro-Garcia in fourth.

Dozens of Olympic Sports Have Been Cut in Wake of House v...

Tennis, track and field, and swimming and diving appear heavily impacted.
Sloane Stephens

WTA Adds Player Ranking Protection for Fertility Treatment 

The new policy is believed to be the first of its kind. 

Featured Today

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) react in the second quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

With Caitlin Clark’s Status Unclear, Fever-Wings Get-In Tix Down 40%

It should be the first professional face-off between Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.
Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; James Piot plays his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
June 25, 2025

From LIV to PGA Tour: James Piot Shows Path Back From Rival..

A former LIV Golf player is competing at this week’s Detroit event.
June 25, 2025

Bold Trades Shake Up NBA Draft After Predictable Start

A flurry of trades and falling draft positions lead the post-Flagg activity.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Soccer
June 25, 2025

Club World Cup Headed for Major Test in Knockout Round

The knockout round will test FIFA’s hypothesis for the new tournament.
Jun 22, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.
June 24, 2025

PGA Tour’s $20M Signature Events Finish 2025 Season Up in TV Ratings

The Travelers Championship was the last of eight elevated events this year.
Jun 23, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Al Ahly's Mohamed Hany reacts after the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
June 24, 2025

Heat Wave Across the U.S. Impacting Major Sports

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it’s been almost impossible to train.
Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.
June 24, 2025

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.