Spotlight shone on Saudi Arabia failures in sport so far as WTA Finals moved to Riyadh

Saudi Arabia has finally managed to get the hosting rights for the WTA Finals for the next three seasons. The first edition of the mega-event will take place in November this year.

The have been constant reports about Middle Eastern country's investing in tennis in the recent past. It was because of this reason the country managed to host the ATP Next Gen Finals in 2023 as well.

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As per the latest report, the oil-rich country gets the hosting rights for two years for the last mega-event in the WTA calendar.

Tennis is not the first sport that Saudi Arabia has invested in the recent past. Previously, they have invested heavily in Golf which led to the merger of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

After that, the country invested heavily in football and started a new competition with the name of Saudi Pro League. The league authorities managed to sign a host of superstars from European teams such as Portugal captain Cristiano Ronald, ex-Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Brazil’s star striker Neymar and others.

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Other than that, Saudi Arabia hosted the Formula One Grand Prix for the first time in 2021 and they are set to host till 20230.

In the 2023 edition of the WTA Finals, it was the current world number one Iga Swiatek lifted the title after beating America’s Jessica Pegula with a score of 6-1, 6-0.

BBC News (World)

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Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals for next three years and provide record prize money bbc.in/4alfExY

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