PARIS: World number one Rafael Nadal on Sunday said he has agreed to play an exhibition match against fellow Grand Slam title winner Novak Djokovic in Saudi Arabia in December.
The match between the two stars will take place at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City on December 22.
“Thanks for the invitation and looking forward to playing and visiting for the first time,” Nadal said on Twitter.
Nadal, the reigning French Open champion, has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name.
Former world number one Djokovic, now at three in the rankings, won Wimbledon and the US Open this year to take his majors collection to 14.
Djokovic and Nadal have played 52 times in their careers with the Serb leading their head-to-head 27-25.
Saudi Arabia has hosted a series of international sports events in recent months.
The first women’s professional squash tournament took place in January while last month saw Britain’s Callum Smith knock out compatriot George Groves in a World Boxing Association super middleweight boxing bout in Jeddah.
Nadal, Djokovic to play exhibition in Saudi Arabia
Nadal, Djokovic to play exhibition in Saudi Arabia
- The match between the two stars will take place at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City on December 22
- Thanks for the invitation and looking forward to playing and visiting for the first time: Nadal
FIA President Ben Sulayem highlights new safety boost with Hankook joining as Global Partner
- New role sees one of the world’s leading tire makers join global platform for sustainable innovations in motorsport and mobility
DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has welcomed Hankook, one of the world’s leading tire makers, as the FIA’s newest Global Partner in the organization’s drive to boost safety in motorsport and mobility.
Hankook has officially joined the FIA’s Global Partner Programme after more than three years as an associate of the global governing body for motorsport and the federation for mobility organizations worldwide.
Hankook will be an Official Partner of the annual FIA Awards as well as Official Partner of the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series, a global event platform, run in close cooperation with FIA World Championships.
These include the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, FIA Formula One World Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship and FIA World Rally Championship from 2026 through 2028.
Ben Sulayem said: “Sustainability and technological innovation are at the heart of our missions at the FIA, so I am delighted to welcome Hankook as a new partner.
“This new partnership with Hankook reflects the global growth of our FIA Global Partner Programme, and through collaboration it will strengthen our work to make motor sport and mobility safer.”
The FIA Sustainable Innovation Series convenes industry leaders to focus on “track to road” opportunities, translating innovation developed in motorsport into wider automotive and mobility applications.
As the exclusive technical partner and tire supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the FIA World Rally Championships, Hankook supports the FIA’s ambition to use motorsport as a platform for progress and responsible innovation.
These championships provide a live testing environment for new materials, performance standards and safety solutions, with learnings that can be transferred from competition to everyday mobility.
Jongho Park, president and COO, Hankook Tire Europe, said: “The FIA and Hankook share the belief that technological innovation can only be effective on a sustained basis if it combines safety, fairness and responsibility.
“As Global Partner of the FIA, we want to use our expertise in technology and sustainable tire development to drive the mobility of the future, in motorsport and beyond.”
Craig Edmondson, chief commercial officer of the FIA, said: “Through our expanding Global Partner Programme, the FIA is working alongside leading international organizations that share our commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and safety across both motorsport and mobility
“We are pleased to welcome Hankook into the FIA Global Partner Programme. Together, we will continue to accelerate progress and shape a more sustainable, future‑focused mobility ecosystem.”
