There’s been discussion about creating more combined men’s and women’s non-slam tennis tournaments such as the Nasdaq-100 in Key Biscayne, Florida and the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California.  It sounds like a good idea and one of those rare, win, win win situations.  Fans, TV and sponsors are all drawn to the top players and with a combined field, there are more stars in one place for that week or so.  The players also seem to enjoy the chance to mingle with the players from the other side of the aisle and of course, happy players should mean better tennis!  There may be some concern that these events would detract from the Grand Slams, but that seems unlikely because the players and fans will always recognize them as regular tour events which focus more on a fun fan experience.  In these times, where there is so much competition for fans’ and sponsors’ attention, time and money, it makes sense from a business standpoint and for the long-term success of tennis to hold tournaments which attract and excite people about tennis.