© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport
Saudi Arabia’s entry into tennis is upsetting the balance within the WTA and the ATP Tour. The economic power of the country of Saudi Arabia has already borne the first fruits. Millionaire exhibition tournaments attract the greatest tennis players, distancing them from smaller official tournaments, which are increasingly lacking in superstars.
This could threaten the survival of the tournaments themselves, such as the 250, which, without the appeal of the great champions, would lose media coverage, crowds and television rights. Arabia Saubita has already reached an agreement with ATP through the PIF fund, has hired Rafael Nadal as a tennis testimonial and will host the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.
But that is not all. The location of the next editions of the WTA Finals has not yet been made official, but all signs seem to point to Saudi Arabia. According to The Athletic, the agreement is now close. In this growth process it would be essential to organize an event like the WTA Finals.
During the Media Day of the BNP Paribas Open, Iga Swiatek expressed her disappointment both for the possible choice -and for the way in which the WTA is managing the matter, by excluding the players. However, the Pole reiterated that she…
