The profitable, multi-year deal is the most recent acquisition of an expert sports activities occasion by the dominion in recent times.
The finals of the Ladies's Tennis Affiliation (WTA) season shall be held in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh from 2024 to 2026, the tennis physique stated, ending months of hypothesis and marking the the Gulf nation's newest foray into sports activities.
“Having a ladies's event of this magnitude and profile is a defining second for tennis in Saudi Arabia. The WTA Closing has the facility to encourage far past sport, particularly for our women and girls,” stated Thursday the Saudi Minister of Sports activities, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud.
Hypothesis that the occasion may very well be moved to Saudi Arabia had intensified after the boys's ATP Tour introduced final August that its Subsequent Gen Finals can be held in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027.
“The WTA selected Riyadh after a complete analysis course of over a number of months, which included evaluating a number of bids from totally different areas and interesting with gamers,” it stated in a press release.
Saudi Arabia has invested closely in sports activities equivalent to soccer, golf and Method 1 automotive racing in recent times, whereas critics accuse the dominion of utilizing its Public Funding Fund to “sport” his human rights document.
The nation denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its nationwide safety by way of its legal guidelines.
The brand new three-year deal will enhance prize cash for the championship on the finish of the November season to a document $15.25 million, a 70 % enhance from 2023.
