Saudi Arabia eyes regular international tennis ahead of inaugural Diriyah Tennis Cup
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has ambitions to bring international tennis to the Kingdom onwards after next month’s inaugural $3 million Diriyah Tennis Cup.
Eight of the world’s best men’s players will compete for the three-day tournament at the custom-built Diriyah Arena – in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site – on the outskirts of Riyadh.
So far six names have been announced, including three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka and current world number 5 Daniil Medvedev of Russia, with two more big name ‘wildcard’ entries to come, but already organizers are looking forward with the Diriyah Tennis Cup intended to be a springboard into having a regular place on the tennis calendar.
Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), said: “We want to host international tennis in the Kingdom every year. We want to demonstrate our capabilities in hosting and organizing a successful international tennis event of this magnitude”.
“Personally, I am very excited that we have eight world class players competing at Diriyah Tennis Cup, this is the start of a new era for tennis in the kingdom, and we foresee the tournament growing and being part of Saudi Arabia’s future in the sport.”
The Diriyah Tennis Cup is part of the Diriyah Season, an epic month of showcase sports events being hosted by the GSA.
World number 12, Fabio Fogini, who was the first Italian to win an ATP Masters 1000 title this year in Monte Carlo and former world number 7 David Goffin of Belgium will also be present in Diriyah. American John Isner, with over 10,000 aces on tour, and five-time ATP champion Lucas Pouille of France complete the current line-up.
Prince Abdul Aziz, believes bringing the Diriyah Tennis Cup will also help fire up its following in the Kingdom, and one day help the nation produce its own champions.
“Today we are keen to develop tennis in the Kingdom,” he said: “It is a well perceived sport and there’s a strong platform for practicing and playing competitively in many cities with such cups and contests. Bringing eight of the very best players to this first tournament Saudi Arabia will put our young talent, our male and female tennis enthusiasts, in direct exposure with global standards, and witness these champions up close and live.
“That will be a great learning opportunity for them as well to benchmark where are they now and to start developing themselves professionally to aim for these standards, and in future, be part of the grand slams across the world.”
