ITF Pursues Breakaway Men’s Tennis Tour : Tennis: ATP calls the move, which could put it out of business, a power play aimed at controlling the sport.

The International Tennis Federation acknowledged Wednesday that it is considering a proposal to establish a men’s professional tour to rival the ATP Tour, fueled by the financial backing of media baron Rupert Murdoch.

In an unusual move that may prove divisive to the sport, the federation responded to rumors that have circulated for several months that it had lent its backing to a breakaway tour that, if successful, would put the existing men’s tennis tour out of business.

Charging the ATP Tour with mismanagement, the federation said in a statement: “For some time the ITF has been of the view that the men’s professional tour has lost focus in the eyes of the media, the public and perhaps some of the players.

“While Grand Slam tournaments and the Davis Cup continue to prosper, it appears to us that a tour of 87 events is supporting too many players and too many tournaments, many of which are not financially viable.”

In reply, the Assn. of Tennis Professionals said the proposed tour was a product of politics and would stunt the growth of tennis.

“This appears to be an ill-conceived and transparent power play that is not in the best interest of anyone in tennis and potentially would hurt ITF members more than most,” ATP Tour CEO Mark Miles said.

The ITF is the international governing body for tennis, including the professional tours, and administers both the Fed Cup and Davis Cup competitions, the Grand Slam Cup year-end championships and the tennis event in the Olympic Games.

The proposal first came to light at the French Open in June, when it was presented by the ITF to its Grand Slam Committee. The scenario calls for 10 tournaments, each with a $3.5-million purse. Two events would be scheduled as run-up tournaments before each Grand Slam event.

According to Bill Babcock, director of men’s professional tennis for the ITF, the idea is to refocus attention on the game’s top players and present a more streamlined schedule. He acknowledges, however, that this rival tour would seek to draw the best players away from ATP events.

“This isn’t necessarily boys at war,” Babcock said from his office in London. “It can be done cooperatively. It’s people in the business of tennis looking for something that can help the game.”

The ITF and the ATP have had an uneasy alliance since the ATP Tour was formed in 1990, which effectively ended the ATP’s membership in the federation. The rift is apparent at the four ITF-controlled Grand Slam events: While the Women’s Tennis Assn. staff is welcomed at the U.S. Open, for example, the men’s side of the draw is administered by the ITF.

ATP staff members are banished from the site and may not operate in any press capacity. The situation has led to so-called parking lot press conferences and huddles in hotel lobbies.

Miles said he expected ITF members to oppose the proposed tour because it would limit top-level tennis tournaments to a few countries. The ATP operates tournaments in 44 countries. Why fix what isn’t broken, he argues.

“What they are taking about doing is what the tour is already doing,” Miles said. “What they are talking about doing would make it harder for tennis to survive. What’s the difference? The difference is they want to run it. It’s a power grab.”

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Sport Australia--one of Murdoch’s companies--has been leading negotiations with the ITF. Murdoch’s Sky Broadcasting is reportedly providing the financing, which would come in the form of television rights fees. Murdoch is also expected to get marketing and promotional rights to the tour.

Murdoch, an Australian, joined with golfer Greg Norman last year in a failed attempt to launch a breakaway professional golf tour.