Saudi Arabia’s $1 billion proposal marks a pivotal moment for both the men’s and women’s tours. Meanwhile, discussions to merge commercial rights between ATP and WTA intensify, as Indian Wells lives up to its claim as the ‘Fifth Slam.’
Saudi Arabia’s new $1 billion proposal and the battle to control tennis: Following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the leaders of the men’s and women’s professional tours are attempting to secure financial viability with at least $1 billion of investment from Saudi Arabia. Full Story: The Athletic
ATP, WTA advance talks to merge commercial rights: The ATP Tour and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) are pushing ahead with efforts to merge the commercial and media rights of the men’s and women’s tennis tours, bringing in an external adviser to study options, three people familiar with the situation said. Full Story: ESPN
Is Indian Wells the ‘Fifth Slam’ in tennis?: One of the things that makes the four Grand Slams special is the way they each evoke the places they inhabit – the easy joy of Melbourne at the Australian Open, the elegance of Paris in Roland Garros, the grandeur of England at Wimbledon, the bustle, energy, and noise of New York at the U.S. Open. If that’s a box that a big-time tournament needs to tick, Indian Wells pulls it off with its laid-back California vibe. Full Story: The Athletic
How beekeeper Lance Davis saved the Indian Wells QFs… barehanded: Nobody will soon forget the bee swarm during the BNP Paribas Open quarter-final Thursday between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. Just two games into the match, the bees took over Stadium 1, forcing a nearly two-hour delay. Full Story: ATP
The players competing in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers have been announced: Swiatek, Pegula, Haddad Maia, and Svitolina are all set for international duty. Full Story: Billie Jean King Cup
Pegula, Keys, Navarro, Dolehide, Townsend to Play BJK Cup Tie for U.S.: The USTA and U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Captain Lindsay Davenport announced that Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Caroline Dolehide and Taylor Townsend will represent the USA in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying competition vs. Belgium April 12-13 at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla. Full Story: Tennis Industry Mag
Katrina Adams honored by IOC for diversity and inclusion efforts: Former USTA President Katrina Adams has been honored by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions Award is in honor of her work championing diversity in tennis. Full Story: USTA
Wozniacki, Kerber, and tennis’ comeback moms: There was a time when being a mother and a tennis player made you something of an oddball in professional tennis. For most players, it didn’t seem like an option. Now, they are seemingly everywhere, playing at the biggest events where they are all in the draw. They are getting into the deep ends of the tournaments, satiating that hunger for competition at the highest level and dreaming of the championships they craved during their time away. Full Story: The Athletic
Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka on why introducing maternity pay on WTA Tour would be ‘life-changing’: New mothers are now able to use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period from the birth of their child. But former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who gave birth to son Leo in 2016, believes the WTA’s next step should be to introduce maternity pay. Full Story: BBC Tennis
International Tennis Hall of Fame launches new digital exhibit showcasing iconic tennis trophies: The new digital exhibit showcases 68 of the most iconic tennis trophies from the ITHACA’s collection. The exhibit was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of tennis’s history, from the sport’s humble beginnings in Newport, Rhode Island, to the world stage of the Grand Slams. Full Story: What’s Up NP
Netflix has Canceled ‘Break Point’: The tennis docuseries struggled to capture the inherent drama of tennis. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| March 20-31 | Miami Open Presented By Itau | ATP 1000 WTA 1000 | Miami |
