Weeks before it is set to stage its first edition, the Diriyah Tennis Cup is already attracting a lot of top talent in the tennis world. World no. 4 Daniiel Medvedev is now confirmed for the new tournament, adding to a roster of bright stars in the Arab country’s first elite tennis event.
Medvedev said that he was excited to come to Saudi Arabia as he has heard good things about the country. He is also using it as an opportunity to prepare for January’s Australian Open because the weather conditions are pretty much the same.
Diriyah Tennis Cup clinches other star talents
Three-time Grand Slam champ Stan Wawrinka has already been added to the schedule of the tournament as well. World no. 12 Fabio Fognini and no. 19 John Isner are the other star players in the mix.
Among the other players who have signed on to the inaugural edition of the tournament include Belgian star David Goffin and French tennis player Lucas Pouille. There are still two wildcard slots that are waiting to be filled in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia to host inaugural Diriyah Tennis Cup
Dubbed as a $3 million prize event, the Diriyah Tennis Cup will be held on December 12-14 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A project of the Saudi General Sports Authority (GSA) and the international company BSG Sports Group, the tournament is meant to improve the popularity of the country as a tennis hub.
The GSA also believes that there is an opportunity for the tournament to create future tennis stars in the country. The agency wants to invest in ensuring that sports fans and future players will feel supported.
The Diriyah Tennis Cup will be held in the Diriyah Arena, which can accommodate as much as 15,000 people. The arena, which was fast tracked for upcoming December events, has been commissioned especially by His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Saud, who serves as the chairperson of the GSA. In fact, HRH Prince Abdulaziz personally checked the status of the construction of the arena last week.
Diriyah Tennis Cup could become next ATP, WTA event
It seems that Saudi Arabia is planning to make the Diriyah Tennis Cup to be one of the premiere tennis events in Asia. The GSA and BSG Sports Group seem to be gunning for the event to become part of the ATP and WTA calendar in the next few years.
The Diriyah Tennis Cup is actually a part of a month-long celebration in the kingdom. The events scheduled during the long celebration are mostly sports-related and include the Diriyah Equestrian Festival, Formula E, and the Clash on the Dunes World heavyweight title match.
Daniil Medvedev’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.5, Daniil played his last match on the 15th of November when he had to bow to Alexander Zverev 6-4 7-64 in the R in London.
This year Medvedev has a 58-21 win-loss record. The Russian clinched 4 titles in 2019 in Sofia, in Cincinnati, in St. Petersburg and in Shanghai. Daniil was the finalist in Brisbane, in Barcelona, in Washington, in Montreal and at the U.S. Open.
John Isner’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.19, the American played his last match on the 30th of October when he lost to Christian Garin 7-65 7-64 in the 2nd round in Paris.
This year Isner has a 29-17 win-loss record. John clinched 1 title in Newport. John was the finalist in Miami.
Daniil Medvedev and John Isner have never played each other.
