German tennis boss names Saudi offer for Masters events 'a chance'

German Tennis Federation (DTB) president Dietloff von Arnim is open in principle to a reported $2 billion offer from Saudi Arabia for the prestiogious Masters tournaments.

Britain's Daily Telegraph reported that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has offered $2 billion for the series, with the men's ATP and women's WTA to receive $1 billion each. The report said that the offer was valid for 90 days.

The Masters are the most prestigious events on the ATP and WTA tours and the second highest category overall, below the grand slams run by the International Tennis Federation (DTB) where von Arnim is a board of directors member.

"It is positive in general that sponsors and organizers are interested in tennis. Such an offer is first of all a chance," von Arnim told dpa.

He said that something new will come in any case in a calendar reform process, and ATP boss Andrea Gaudenzi is said to have informed about the Saudi offer at the Indian Wells Masters which ended on Sunday, without including grand slam officials in the talks.

ATP board member Herwig Straka told the Austrian Press Agency that the reported figure was "wrong" but did not want to elaborate.

The Saudi offer could be in direct competition to a Premier Tour model the federations have been discussing.

"The concrete plans are not yet on the table. The ATP will hold a meeting in Madrid in April and then perhaps provide further information," von Arnim said.

"We need to take a look at everything calmly and assess it carefully."

He added that "we are vulnerable in tennis because of the calendar and everyone wants to secure their sinecures. We can certainly organise ourselves better - and we have to think about our current and future fans."

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sports including football, golf, boxing and Formula One in recent years.

The country says it wants to diversify its economy by making it less dependant on oil, and boost tourism as well.

However, Saudi Arabia's human rights record has been criticised, and critics say that the country is using sports to improve its image in a scheme they name sportswashing.