Saudi Arabia now also attracts Jannik Sinner & Co.

Saudi Arabia is pushing into the tennis scene with a top-class event.

06. February 2024

From: dpa

Top stars Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner as well as Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune are scheduled to take part in a show tournament in October during the current ATP season. The show tournament in Riyadh is marketed as the “Six Kings Slam”.

Saudi Arabia has been investing huge amounts of money in sport for some time to increase its influence in the world and improve its image. Saudi Arabia has recently had success in golf, Formula 1 and football, among others. Saudi Arabia is also the only country to have applied to host the 2034 World Cup. The country is repeatedly accused of human rights violations.

Tennis as a new market

The country has been trying to gain influence in tennis for some time now. It was recently announced that Spanish superstar Nadal had taken up a role as ambassador for the Saudi Arabian Tennis Association. There has also been speculation for a long time that the women's organization WTA's year-end tournament will take place in Saudi Arabia for the first time this year.