2023 ATP Next Gen Finals set to be confirmed for move to Jeddah in first signs of Saudi Arabia tennis involvement

ATP
Monday, 24 July 2023 at 23:30
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As was previously mooted, the ATP Next Gen Finals are set to be played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from this year onwards with the inaugural staging of this being immediately after the Davis Cup Finals.

Sources have confirmed to Ubitennis, a tennis publication that it will be in September due to the FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the country after initially wanting a December date.

It was described as a 'last minute change' but one that would only be a one-off. Held at the King Abdullah Sports City, a venue with six tennis courts and an indoor arena, it has seen multiple high-profile sporting events.

In particular Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua in the boxing realm and now the Next Gen Finals.

Strikingly, it will take place in December from 2024 onwards which is in the middle of the off season. But this has been a preferred option with the ATP saying thus when wanting a host city.

‘This year’s tournament is expected to take place in December, with the exact dates to be determined with the successful bidder.’

It is a process which has raised huge debate in the tennis sphere including from prominent players and legends such as Chris Evert and John McEnroe.

This is the first stage of what is seen as a future tennis stake from Saudi Arabia in the ATP and with the Grand Slams not controlled by the governing bodies, they can only realistically take a spot on the calendar or the Finals. Also with the WTA Tour having talks, it is a similar scenario.

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