The lucrative multi-year deal is the kingdom's latest acquisition of a professional sporting event in recent years.
The season-ending Women's Tennis Association (WTA) final will be held in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh from 2024 to 2026, ending months of speculation and marking the Gulf nation's latest foray into the sport, the tennis body says. Announced.
“It is a defining moment for tennis in Saudi Arabia to host a women’s tournament of this magnitude and high profile. We have the power to give,” Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud said on Thursday.
After the men's ATP Tour announced last August that the Next Generation Finals would be held in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027, there was growing speculation that the event would be moved to Saudi Arabia.
“The WTA selected Riyadh after a comprehensive evaluation process spanning several months, which included evaluating multiple bids from various regions and engaging with players,” it said in a statement. .
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports such as soccer, golf and Formula 1 in recent years, but critics say the kingdom is using public investment funds to “sportswash” its human rights record. He blames it.
The country denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects national security through the law.
The new three-year contract increases the prize money for this November's season-ending championship to a record $15.25 million, a 70% increase from 2023.
