Saudi Arabia’s entry into tennis is upsetting the balance within the WTA and the ATP Tour. The economic power of the country of Saudi Arabia has already borne the first fruits. Millionaire exhibition tournaments attract the greatest tennis players, distancing them from smaller official tournaments, which are increasingly lacking in superstars.
This could threaten the survival of the tournaments themselves, such as the 250, which, without the appeal of the great champions, would lose media coverage, crowds and television rights. Arabia Saubita has already reached an agreement with ATP through the PIF fund, has hired Rafael Nadal as a tennis testimonial and will host the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.
But that is not all. The location of the next editions of the WTA Finals has not yet been made official, but all signs seem to point to Saudi Arabia. According to The Athletic, the agreement is now close. In this growth process it would be essential to organize an event like the WTA Finals.
During the Media Day of the BNP Paribas Open, Iga Swiatek expressed her disappointment both for the possible choice -and for the way in which the WTA is managing the matter, by excluding the players. However, the Pole reiterated that she does not like the Saudi situation.
“Do not have any impact on decisions of this type. It is better that you ask this question directly to the WTA, because they have all the updated information, I am tired of following all these updates and information and I prefer to focus on where I am now,” she explained.
Iga Swiatek© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport
Swiatek focuses on Indian Wells 4rd round
Swiatek made her debut in Indian Wells and, this time, she did not encounter any problems against Danielle Collins. The American put the WTA number one in serious difficulty at the 2024 Australian Open on January 18, but this time things went differently.
“I’m certainly happy with the performance, especially with how I played in the important moments at the end of the first and second sets. It’s never easy to play the first match in any tournament, even more so in Indian Wells because the conditions are complicated.
So I’m happy to get a straight set win. Players usually prefer to arrive here first to adjust to jet lag. When I was younger, I felt overwhelmed by all these fans and such big stadiums. Even though it is not a Grand Slam tournament, everyone is motivated when this event is played. Now I draw positive energy from everything that happens around me,” she explained at the press conference.
In the 3rd round, Iga then defeated the young Linda Noskova and, in the 4th round, she will challenge Yulia Putintseva.
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