After securing the Next Gen ATP Finals deal for five years and trying its luck in a few other tournaments, Saudi Arabia looks to take on the tennis world by a sandstorm. Despite several controversies, the Arab nation is slowly and steadily trying to step into the world of sports. Heavy investments and lucrative deals for the players are already starting to lure the superstars. What will be the impact?
Recently, some shocking rumors have spread chaos all across the tennis world. This could result in a knock-out blow for the ATP and WTA tour. Let’s find out what is the fuss all about and how the tennis world reacts to this.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in tennis is turning out to be a game-changer
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Earlier it was rumoured that Saudi Arabia is also keen to host a new Masters 1000 tournament just a week before the AO. This move could possibly make a huge impact on the first Grand Slam of the season. The tournament will feature top players fighting for a staggering prize money. If everything goes according to Saudi’s plan, the tournament would finish just 8 days before the major at Melbourne Park. Now the famous American sports journalist and author comes up with another breaking news.
FWIW, hearing more chatter about the Slams joining to acquire 10 biggest events, forming a super tour (with Saudi Arabia getting 10th event)…leaving @atp and @WTA to run 500s and year-end finals…lot of hurdles to clear but this would be the proverbial game-changer…stay tuned
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) November 26, 2023
“FWIW, hearing more chatter about the Slams joining to acquire 10 biggest events, forming a super tour (with Saudi Arabia getting 10th event)…leaving ATP and WTA to run 500s and year-end finals…lot of hurdles to clear but this would be the proverbial game-changer…stay tuned,” wrote Jon Wertheim.
Slams aren’t a part of the ATP/WTA tour but they do hold ranking points. The Saudi deal might see ATP and WTA 1000 events merge with slams, leaving only very little for the ATP/WTA tours. Here’s how fans reacted to this news.
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Fans aren’t happy with news breaking out from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Some bizarre reactions are pouring in from the fans. Some are confused while others express their disagreement. Let’s find out some of their reactions.
One of them expressed his concern for Wimbledon and said no way the prestigious tournament join this.
There’s no way Wimbledon joins this.
— Toussaint Crawford DDS, FICOI (@SaintCrawford) November 26, 2023
While the other stressed the importance of having an independent union.
And this is why player need their own, independent, union..
— Bones 🏁 (@bones_f1) November 26, 2023
Few of them didn’t look optimistic at all with this news.
That won’t fix tennis. 🎾
— 10sBalls (@10sBalls_com) November 26, 2023
Others felt this was the end of the sport.
End of the sport.
— Milhouse Van Houten (@VanH0ut3n) November 26, 2023
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Some of them expressed their least interest in this news on their beloved sport. However, expressions of disappointment were portrayed in every reaction.
I can see tennis fandom falling away from my future.
— lisacrispin @lisacrispin@mastodon.social (@lisacrispin) November 27, 2023
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Saudi Arabia is making up its mind to allegedly ‘sports-wash’ its image and look for other alternatives to generate revenue. What’s a better investment than the ever-growing sports industry? Now, it’ll be interesting to see how the tennis world refrains from the astounding numerical figures that come up with every Saudi investment.
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