Australian great John Newcombe says tennis should consider adding a fifth Grand Slam tournament—and offer to sell it to China for $1 billion.
''There has been talk about it over the years. I know that China would love to have the fifth Slam,'' Newcombe told *The Sydney Morning Herald*. ''I think the four Slams should get together and tell China they can have a fifth Grand Slam for a billion dollars, and they take $250 million each. They have got the facilities to do it over there and the financial wherewithal. It would be good for Australia to have $250 million in the kitty.''
China already hosts many ATP and WTA tournaments, with the two biggest being played in the fall: Beijing, a combined event, which is a Premier Mandatory for the women; and Shanghai, a Masters 1000 event for the men. Singapore will become the new host of the WTA Championships this year. Beijing organizers have expressed interest in becoming Grand Slam-level in recent years.
Newcombe said the best time to hold the event would be in late February and early March.
''You would probably have to hold it around just prior to [Masters events in] Indian Wells and Miami, at that time of the year,'' he said.