ATP looking at "50 variations" for rescheduling 2020 season, says CEO

The ATP Tour is considering "50 variations" of a rescheduled tennis season in the event of a potential resumption, according to new CEO Andrea Gaudenzi.

"We are working on the possibility of a four-week clay swing following the US Open," he told Italian journalists in comments translated by *Ubitennis*.

"The best-case scenario would be to have the North American swing, then the clay, then Asia, and then the ATP Finals. If that were to happen, it would mean that we rescued 80 percent of the season, other than cancelling the grass events. With seven Masters 1000s and three Slams, there wouldn’t be much room for complaints."

The French Open is again involved, added Gaudenzi, who also noted the Grand Slam's controversial decision to move its date with no consultation had led the sport's governing bodies to agree on the importance of collaboration.

"It sparked a very open conversation with the leaders of the other stakeholders, where we came to the conclusion that we're all in the same 'building,' he said. "No one knows when we'll get to resume play. It's all hypothetical, so there's no sense [arguing] about something that might not happen."

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The ATP Finals would also have to keep its dates to play in its current location at London. Gaudenzi would like the two Grand Slam events played before the Finals, and said the ATP and WTA Tours, ITF and Grand Slams would aim not to have conflicting events.

The CEO, who began in the position at the beginning of the season, also said that rescheduling would be substantially more difficult if there was a delay in playing the US Open. The tournament is apparently considering playing with no spectators, but at this time, international travel involved for tennis players and personnel would create more problems for tennis than domestic sports.

"We are still talking about 2,000-3,000 people moving from one place to another, and that would make it difficult to guarantee safety for everybody," he said.

The ATP's primary goal will be to hold as many events as it can, with talk also of playing into the off season.

"We have to try to play as many tournaments as we can in the weeks we have, to keep ranking points and prize money, and most of all, entertain the spectators," he said. “The longer it takes to solve the situation, the worst our condition becomes. As for the idea of hosting a lot of tournaments over a span of a few weeks, we are considering every option in order to help everybody.”

All tour events have been cancelled or postponed for the next three months.