A high-profile exhibition fight in Riyadh is by no means the beginning. Saudi Arabia has long since become aware of the tennis circus and is trying to participate. How successful it will be remains to be seen.
This match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia promises training at the highest level for the two protagonists – and good entertainment for the spectators. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will have a show fight there on Wednesday (December 27th, 2023). Kingdom-Arena.
But of course it’s not just about preparing for the new tennis season, which will start in Australia in a few days. The world number one and two also play this game to earn a lot of money.
Exactly how much is not known, but: Roger Federer was paid a million dollars for a comparable appearance a few years ago. In this case it shouldn’t be less. The Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and the Tunisian Ons Jabeur are also playing an exhibition match there on Tuesday.
ATP and WTA are under pressure
These appear against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s recent involvement in global sport Matches However, it is particularly spicy. “There have always been such show fights. But it is clear that Saudi Arabia is showing intense interest in investing in tennis.”says Dietloff von Arnim of the Sportschau. “Both in the men’s tour (ATP) and the women’s tour (WTA).”
The President of the German Tennis Federation (DTB) is aware of the country’s intensive efforts to become part of the international tennis circuit. “The ATP and the WTA are already under a little pressure on this issue”, said from Armin. Because the big question will be how the two players’ unions respond to the efforts and what they might offer the Saudis.
No surprise
“I personally think it was just a matter of time when they would start negotiating or talking in tennis to try to get into tennis”Djokovic had already said last summer on the sidelines Wimbledontournament said.
It is no secret that the Middle Eastern country has been investing in more and more sports for several years. The participation in Formula 1, the founding of its own golf tour (LIV) and the massive upgrade of the Saudi Pro League through a number of expensive football stars (Cristiano Ronaldo, etc.) were supported by the political leadership thanks to the sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public investment funds) and its estimated reserves of $650 billion are extremely generously financed.
Rumors of a new tour
Tennis is clearly in the interests of the monarch Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud – and the danger to the existing tennis structures is obvious. The Next Gen Finals will be played in Saudi Arabia in the coming years, probably also in 2024 WTA finals. And: There are already rumors circulating that Saudi Arabia is ready for a new one trip to finance, where only Grand Slam– and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments will be held.
If Saudi Arabia wants to set up its own tour, similar to golf, and also offers tennis professionals an exorbitant amount of money, as in golf, the current (tennis) world could be turned upside down.
Closed sports market?
But it is also a fact that there is hardly any chance of integrating into the global ATP tennis calendar, as all licenses are awarded to the owners for almost a lifetime and no one wants to sell because they are financially lucrative. It is therefore an international, but an almost closed sports market.
The Saudis basically have no chance of participating. Unless there is an additional offer that needs to be created first. The ATP is therefore talking about another 1000 tournament ahead of time Australian Open to install in Saudi Arabia, which the Australian tournament organizers did in the run-up to Grand Slam should be anything but pleasing. “There are currently worldwide discussions on all of these topics by everyone involved in professional tennis.”said from Armin.
Fritz can imagine a new tour
Taylor Fritz, US tennis professional and current number ten in the world rankings, could definitely imagine a new tour and sees some advantages in it. “That’s a really good idea and I think we should have separate tours. If you’re on the main tour you should be able to play all the big tournaments, all with a little higher draw, so basically everyone from the top 100 are there,” said the 26-year-old.
However, the question arises as to what happens to the players behind this “closed society”, who already earn very little money and can hardly finance their (tennis) life? And how could the tournaments from the 500 category and below maintain their attractiveness?
And: The many questions about the controversial human rights situation in Saudi Arabia have not yet been asked.