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Posted: 2023-12-29 04:14:17

Top ranked American tennis player Jessica Pegula believes a alternative LIV-style tennis tour for elite players is "inevitable".

It comes after former player John Alexander and retiring player John Millman said there were potential benefits for players if a new elite tour developed.

The Saudi-financed LIV Golf series disrupted the sport when it emerged in 2021, offering current and former players huge money, and ultimately leading to the PGA Tour announcing a merger in June.

Pegula, who is in Perth for the United Cup, said something similar to golf's LIV was more than likely to happen in tennis.

"I think it's inevitable, to be honest," she said.

A fit older white man with dark glasses and white hair smiles as he signs autographs for fans on a golf course.

Greg Norman is the LIV Golf chief executive and commissioner.(Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

"There's a lot of talks, I feel like there has been for the past year or so, I feel like it's going to happen eventually because money talks.

"They have infinite amounts of money and they seem to have been involved in every single sport in the world except for ours so I'm sure ours is coming.

"But I don't know exactly when."

Concern over eligibility

She and number one US male player, Taylor Fritz were speaking at a media conference in Perth where they're spearheading the US campaign at the United Cup.

Fritz said there had been discussions around a LIV-style tour.

"There's talks and you know, when, if it happens, I think the biggest question mark is going to be, if you compete on that tour, if you still are going to be able to play slams or not," he said.

Taylor Fritz answers journalists questions at a media conference.

US tennis player Taylor Fritz says it is too early to know if a LIV-style tournament would be good or bad for the sport.( ABC News: David Weber )

"I think that's going to be a big thing and you know, I'll see what happens, I can't really say if it's a good thing or not until you kind of see how they would structure the tour, how it would be, to be honest.

"I do think the way the tour is now, there's lots of things that could be improved.

"I guess you'd have to wait and see if a different tour came along, if they made it better for players."

United States' Taylor Fritz plays a forehand.

United States' Taylor Fritz plays a forehand at the United Cup tennis event in Sydney earlier this year.(AP: Mark Baker)

A report in the New York Times this week detailed the potential of a new collaboration between the Australian, French and US Open tournaments with Wimbledon for an elite tour, which could have a negative impact on smaller and medium-sized tournaments.

Speaking on the ABC's tennis podcast, Millman said he was unsure if the plan was a good one for players, and he thought the "more competition the better".

The United Cup got underway today, with Perth hosting players including world number ones Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic and Storm Hunter.

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