Saudi Arabia plot ATP as next sporting move, currently in talks to acquire stake with their Public Investment Fund
ATP
Saudi Arabia's bid to enter as many sports as possible continues with the ATP the next target as per Daily Mail.
Last month, it was reported that the ATP NextGen Finals will take place in Jeddah likely next year and it seems they are now after a stake in the sport with the head of the ATP revealing he has held talks with the PIF (Public Investment Fund).
‘You have to preserve something which is almost sacred, the rules of the game,’ Gaudenzi told the Financial Times. ‘This is not a video game. If you’re a golf fan you want to see the top players against each other. You want one ranking and one simple story.’
So far, they have lured Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema from football to the country to play in their league, while Newcastle United were taken over by them.
There are also reports of a £16bn offer to buy Formula One as well as buying the LIV Golf Tour.
But it can be noted that it will be more difficult for Saudi Arabia to take control of tennis with of course separate bodies in the WTA, ITF and the Grand Slams not controlled by the tours so a potential Grand Slam in Saudi Arabia is unlikely for the time being.
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