RIYADH/LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Association of Tennis Professionals have signed a multi-year strategic partnership that marks a significant shared commitment to developing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels.
The agreement means the PIF becomes the official name partner of the ATP Rankings, celebrating players’ journeys and progress and championing excellence.
PIF’s Head of Corporate Brand Mohamed AlSayyad said: “Through our collaboration with ATP, PIF will be a catalyst for growth of the global tennis landscape, developing talent, fostering inclusivity and driving sustainable innovation.”
He added the partnership aligned with PIF’s broader vision of enhancing quality of life and driving transformation in sport, both within the Kingdom and across the world.
ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli added: “It’s a shared commitment to propel the future of the sport. With PIF’s dedication to the next generation — fostering innovation and creating opportunities for all — the stage is set for a transformative period of progress.”
PIF will partner with ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the Nitto ATP Finals in Milan, as well as the Next Gen ATP Finals to be hosted in Jeddah until 2027.
The two bodies will also collaborate to elevate the long-term future of tennis. PIF will actively contribute to ATP’s OneVision Strategic Plan which focuses on driving unity, enhancing fan experiences and leveraging scalable growth opportunities across the sport.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF, ATP announce multi-year strategic partnership to accelerate tennis growth
https://arab.news/c48hp
Saudi Arabia’s PIF, ATP announce multi-year strategic partnership to accelerate tennis growth
- PIF’s Head of Corporate Brand Mohamed AlSayyad: “Through our collaboration with ATP, PIF will be a catalyst for growth of the global tennis landscape”
- Massimo Calvelli, ATP CEO: “It’s a shared commitment to propel the future of the sport”
Semifinals’ lineup complete as historic wheelchair tennis debuts at Abu Dhabi Open
- Tauson, Bejlek, Alexandrova and Baptiste secure semifinal spots, while Eala and Tjen advance in doubles
- Crowd favorite Eala exits after straight-sets defeat by Alexandrova
ABU DHABI: Thursday saw a landmark achieved at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open as wheelchair tennis made its groundbreaking debut alongside a decisive quarterfinal sweep that saw Clara Tauson, Sara Bejlek, Ekaterina Alexandrova and Hailey Baptiste advance to the semifinals.
Tauson beat McCartney Kessler in an impressive performance, while Czech qualifier Bejlek dropped just two games to dispatch British No. 2 Sonay Kartal. Alexandrova, the highest seed remaining in the tournament, ended Alexandra Eala’s run in straight sets, before Baptiste overcame Liudmila Samsonova in three sets.
“McCartney played some good tennis, but I also played well,” said Tauson. “She was hitting some very good winners, but I kept my cool, kept fighting and that helped me a lot today. It’s great to be in the semifinals.”
In the doubles semifinal on ADCB Court 1, Eala and Janice Tjen delivered an impressive performance in front of packed crowds to defeat Cristina Bucşa and Shuai Zhang in straight sets.
“We were trying to be aggressive and have fun,” said Eala. “When you have a good relationship with your partner, you’re not afraid to go with your gut. If you make errors, it’s okay because you have that chemistry and you’re willing to try what feels right.”
Away from the main draw action, history was made as the tournament launched its inaugural Mubadala Wheelchair Tennis Invitational presented by the WTA Foundation, becoming the first standalone WTA event to feature wheelchair tennis.
The three-player tournament saw wheelchair tennis legend Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands defeat Maria Angélica Bernal of Colombia in today’s opening match, securing her place in Saturday’s final against world No. 1 Yui Kamiji of Japan.
Off the court, the day delivered inspiring moments for fans and the community. Wheelchair tennis stars Griffioen, Bernal and Kamiji hosted a clinic with Heroes of Hope — the UAE’s non-profit sports academy — with children welcomed onto the court for an unforgettable experience. Slovak star Tereza Mihalikova spent time with schoolchildren, signing autographs and taking photos, while Bejlek engaged with fans through an exclusive Q&A at the Mubadala Hospitality Pavilion.
Nigel Gupta, tournament director at organizers MARI, said: “Today has been historic for wheelchair tennis. The inaugural invitational has already captured the imagination and having Yui and Jiske heading to Saturday’s final showcases the extraordinary level of this sport. “Alongside that, the quarterfinals produced the kind of brilliant tennis we expect at this level, setting up compelling semifinals matchups tomorrow in both the singles and doubles.”
The semifinals will take place on Friday. On Stadium Court, the doubles semifinal begins at 4 p.m. with Mihalikova and Nicholls facing Eala and Tjen. Baptiste then takes on Alexandrova in a singles semifinal, followed by Bejlek clashing with Tauson. On ADCB Court 1, Sofia Kenin and Desirae Krawczyk battle Alexandrova and Maya Joint in the other doubles semifinal.
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open final takes place on Saturday, Feb. 7.
