‘A major moment for tennis’: ATP agrees partnership with Saudi Arabia’s PIF
Saudi Arabia’s influence has stretched deeper into men’s tennis after the ATP Tour agreed a “multiyear strategic partnership” with the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund.
As a result of the deal the ATP rankings, plus the year-end world No 1 award, will be named after the PIF. The PIF will also have on-court branding at major ATP 1000 events at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing, as well as the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
However, while the deal expands the Saudis’ voice in professional tennis, it does not represent a direct challenge to the existing order. This is not the LIV Golf playbook reloaded, but rather a sign that the PIF wants to work with the sport’s existing governing bodies. Notably, it also does not have a 1000 tournament of its own yet – something it has made clear it would like to stage.
In a news release, the ATP claimed that the new deal – which is thought to be worth in the low seven figures – would also “elevate the long-term future of tennis”.
Massimo Calvelli, the ATP chief executive officer, said: “Our strategic partnership with PIF marks a major moment for tennis. It’s a shared commitment to propel the future of the sport. With PIF’s dedication to the next generation – fostering innovation and creating opportunities for all – the stage is set for a transformative new period of progress.”
The ATP also revealed that the PIF would contribute to the OneVision Strategic Plan, which puts it at the heart of the politics of the sport.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in various sports including football, Formula One, boxing and golf in the past few years in what it says is an attempt to diversify its economic portfolio away from oil and make the country a more attractive place to live as part of its Vision 2030 plans.
However critics have accused it of using PIF to “sportswash” its human rights record. Several big-name stars have already played in lucrative exhibitions in the kingdom, while a new event, the “6 Kings Slam” – featuring Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev
and Holger Rune – will take place in October.
Meanwhile the debate over Saudi Arabia potentially hosting the women’s WTA Finals continues, with the tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova objecting to any such move, prompting heavy criticism from the Saudi ambassador to the US.