The ATP Chairman, Andrea Gaudenzi, has expressed a keen interest in furthering tennis opportunities in Saudi Arabia, following the successful staging of the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah. With discussions buzzing about a potential 10th Masters 1000 event in the country, prospects of expanding the sport’s footprint in Saudi Arabia seem promising.
Notable tennis figures like Carlos Alcaraz have already committed to participating in Saudi-hosted tournaments. The world No. 2 has even scheduled an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic in Riyadh this month, signaling a growing interest in tennis events within the nation.
While Saudi Arabia recently hosted its inaugural official tennis tournament, marked by the Next Gen Finals, it’s essential to note that the event is exclusive to players under 22 and doesn’t offer ranking points. To attract top-tier players, Saudi Arabia would require a regular ATP event, which could be in the pipeline as the tour’s chairman navigates logistical considerations.
“We are exploring various opportunities,” Gaudenzi stated, expressing the ATP’s desire to collaborate further with Saudi Arabia. Emphasizing positive discussions and mutual interests in sports and tennis, Gaudenzi highlighted the nation’s expressed willingness to expand its tennis endeavors.
However, integrating a new tournament into an already packed tennis calendar presents a significant challenge. Gaudenzi acknowledged this hurdle, underscoring the need for phased planning and discussions among involved stakeholders to find viable solutions.
Despite potential hurdles, the ATP remains optimistic about players’ eagerness to compete in Saudi Arabia. Notably, Carlos Alcaraz had previously expressed his intentions to play in the country, signaling a positive outlook for future tournaments.
Moreover, the upcoming exhibition match between Alcaraz and Djokovic on December 27 further underlines the players’ readiness to engage in Saudi-hosted events.
While the expansion into Saudi Arabia might pose challenges, the enthusiastic response from key players and the ATP’s commitment signifies a potential pathway for tennis development within the country.
As discussions progress, the tennis world anticipates further advancements in establishing Saudi Arabia as a notable destination for top-tier tennis events. The willingness demonstrated by both Alcaraz and Djokovic to engage in upcoming matches in Saudi Arabia hints at a promising future for tennis in the region.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
LWWWWWWWWW Ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he lost to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
During this season Alcaraz has managed to achieve a compiled 65-12 win-loss record. Carlos has won 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Alcaraz was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Carlos Alcaraz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
