Slams to Back New Tour?

Disgruntled tournament directors have approached the Grand Slams to explore the possibility of leading an alternative circuit, sources said Sunday.

The development, in the early stages of discussion, comes after the Grand Slam Committee asked the ATP on Thursday to take its participation agreement off the table; the organization refused to do so a day later. The ATP’s proposal includes the potential of a no-show at Grand Slams, and the creation of alternative tournaments to the majors.

The ATP’s chief executive, Mark Miles, calling his organization’s circuit “stable,” said he thought the substance of such a possibility was dubious.

“I haven’t heard a thing about it,” he said.

Officials from the Grand Slams met with Miles and WTA CEO Larry Scott on Sunday at Wimbledon to discuss, among other things, the upcoming calendar for the sport.

-- Lisa Dillman