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Roger Federer called for a merger between the
two governing bodies last month, with both ATP Tour Chairman
Andrea Gaudenzi and his WTA counterpart Steve Simon welcoming
the suggestion.
Rafa Nadal, the other member of the so-called 'Big 3' alongside
Federer and Novak Djokovic, also voiced his support as did many
other past and present players.
However, outspoken Australian Nick Kyrgios was not enthused.
"Did anyone ask the majority of the ATP what they think about
merging with the WTA and how it is good for us?" the world
number 40 wrote on social media, before adding "we shouldn't
merge."
World number 93 Pospisil, who sits on the ATP Players Council,
termed Kyrgios' comments as ill-informed.
"You know what, it's because a lot of players express, or people
in general, will express an opinion without having any
information, just because they feel like they want to say
something," Pospisil told TSN In Depth. "That might be the case
with Nick.
"To be honest, he's in no position to express an opinion when he
just hears about this for the first time and has done zero due
diligence. There are some guys like that and I'll have no
problem telling him that to his face.
"But again it raises eyebrows, there are a lot of valid
questions that need to be asked and answered, which I have."
As many as seven associations govern different parts of tennis.
Besides the ATP and the WTA Tours, the sport is also controlled
by the International Tennis Federation and the boards of the
four Grand Slam tournaments.
They all joined forces in recent weeks to raise more than $6
million for a player relief fund that will target about 800
singles and doubles players collectively on the men's and
women's tours, who need financial support during the COVID-19
shutdown.
Djokovic, who heads the ATP Players Council, of which Federer
and Nadal are also members, gave a rallying cry to his fellow
professionals to contribute to the fund.
Pospisil said the 'Big 3' were all very strong individuals but
they overall worked "really well" together.
"I've been really impressed with Novak, how much he cares for
all the players," the Canadian added.
"Even the lower-ranked guys. I don't know if it is because of
where he came from or how he grew up.
"I know that his family went through tough times when he was a
kid, he really cares for all the players and the lower-ranked
guys and so I give him so much respect and credit for trying to
actually affect positive change."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Christian Radnedge)
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