The renowned 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals should be held in Saudi Arabia, ushering in a new era for tennis.
According to author Lorenzo Ercoli, Saudi Arabia will host the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals after President of the Italian Tennis Association Angelo Binaghi made the announcement. The competition, which has been held in Milan, Italy from its inauguration in 2017 through the 2022 edition, has undergone a considerable change as a result of this decision.
As there is not currently an ATP tournament held in Saudi Arabia, the move of the prestigious event there represents the kingdom’s growing influence and investment in sports generally and tennis in particular.
The controversy
There will be some backlash over the choice to conduct the Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia because of concerns about the nation’s human rights record and its appropriateness to host such a prominent athletic event. However, the move of the competition fits into a larger pattern in which Saudi Arabia is heavily investing in sports and entertainment to diversify its economy and enhance its reputation abroad.
