Saudi Arabia to host WTA Finals tennis

AFP | Riyadh

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Saudi Arabia will host the WTA Finals for the next three editions, the Women’s Tennis Association said yesterday. In just the latest high-profile Saudi sporting acquisition, the capital Riyadh will first hold the season finale featuring eight singles players and doubles teams from November 2-9.

“Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the next three editions of the WTA Finals from 2024- 2026,” the WTA posted on X, formerly Twitter, on its official account. The widely anticipated deal comes just weeks after Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth vehicle, announced a “strategic partnership” with the Association of Tennis Professionals, which runs men’s tennis.

Saudi has quickly established links with tennis. In February, the PIF announced its multi-year tie-up with the ATP, in which it becomes the naming partner of the men’s rankings. PIF will also partner with ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the ATP Finals, in addition to the Next Gen ATP Finals, hosted in Jeddah until 2027.

Last year, the Next Gen ATP Finals became the first ATP event in Saudi, which also hosted exhibition matches featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Jabeur.