The profitable, multiyear deal is the most recent skilled sports activities occasion acquisition by the dominion lately.
The season-ending Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals might be held in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh from 2024-2026, the tennis physique mentioned, ending months of hypothesis and marking the Gulf nation’s newest foray into the game.
“To have a women’s tournament of this magnitude and profile is a defining moment for tennis in Saudi Arabia. The WTA Finals has the power to inspire far beyond the sport, especially for our young girls and women,” Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud mentioned on Thursday.
Speculation that the occasion might be shifted to Saudi Arabia had intensified after the lads’s ATP Tour mentioned final August that its Next Gen Finals can be held in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027.
“The WTA selected Riyadh following a comprehensive evaluation process over several months, which has included assessment of multiple bids from different regions and engagement with players,” it mentioned in an announcement.
Saudi Arabia has invested closely in sports activities like soccer, golf and Formula One auto racing in the previous few years whereas critics accuse the dominion of utilizing its Public Investment Fund to “sportswash” its human rights report.
The nation denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its nationwide safety by its legal guidelines.
The new three-year deal will improve the prize cash for this November’s season-ending championship to a report $15.25m, a 70 p.c improve from 2023.
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