Tennis News: Saudi Arabia on the Verge of Making Biggest Move in the Sport As Reports of Massive Purchase Emerge

Saudi Arabia is making a big progress towards their tennis dream. From appointing Spain’s famous Rafael Nadal as their tennis federation’s ambassador to bringing talents like Djokovic, Sinner, and Alcaraz to the country’s six-day exhibition match, Saudi Arabia has done it all. Now this country is stepping further toward its goal by deciding to embark on a great project.

This country is trying to make tennis popular in the country. For that, Nadal is appointed to open his academy in Riyadh and guide the national team for prestigious tournaments. Now Saudi Arabia surprised the tennis fraternity by embarking on another great move for tennis.

Saudi Arabia aims towards ATP ranking system in their upcoming move for tennis

A tennis source recently shared on their official X (formerly Twitter) that the country is thinking of purchasing the ranking system of ATP through their Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund for five years. Sharing the information, this source wrote- “Here’s some news: PIF/Saudi Sovereign Wealth fund is about to buy @atptour ranking system (godpseed, Pepperstone) for five years. Watch for an announcement to launch at @bnpparisbasopen ….you have to imagine the @wta is next (with finals tie-in?)” 

Saudi Arabia’s move has surprised a lot of people. Referring to their 6 Kings Slam, Firstpost wrote- “While exhibition events in the Gulf are nothing new, they are usually played during breaks in the ATP season or after it has finished. The ATP has a full schedule in October, including mandatory Masters 1000 tournaments in Shanghai and Paris. But the start date of 14 October allows players to escape another ATP Tour rule which bans top-30 players from appearing in exhibitions in the same week as Masters 1000 or ATP 500 events. The week of 14 October is scheduled to have only two ATP 250s which means top players can easily participate in Riyadh tournament.”

Read more: Billie Jean King Gets Real About WTA’s Harsh Reality As She Explains the Need for Potential Saudi Arabia Move

The current tennis ambition of Saudi Arabia expresses that the country is dedicated to making tennis popular. However, not many global fans consider it a great move. In fact, there is a budding hatred towards Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global tennis scene.

WTA still feels confused about hosting tournament finals in Saudi Arabia

Despite WTA’s growing fondness with Saudi Arabia, WTA is still anxious to host tournament finals in the country. They focus on players’ tensions about the country’s rigid rules on women’s clothing. Steve Simon, the chief of WTA said to Reuters– “We fully appreciate the importance of respecting diverse cultures and religions, It’s because of this, and not despite it, that we oppose the awarding of the tour’s crown jewel tournament to Riyadh. The WTA’s values sit in stark contrast to those of the proposed host.”

While Saudi Arabia’s relationship with WTA remains complicated, the country is moving fast in building a strong tennis objective with the help of ATP. What do you think about the country’s next plan to purchase AT rankings for five years?

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