RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will welcome some of the world’s top tennis players — including Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus — next month for the Women’s Tennis Association Finals in Riyadh.
The championship will be the first professional women’s tennis tournament to take place in the Kingdom. It will run Nov. 2 to 9 at King Saudi University in Riyadh.
The top eight singles players and doubles pairs from the WTA will face off in the season-ending event, which will decide the 2024 champions. The tournament is the first of a three-year contract between the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation, with the Hologic WTA Tour’s flagship event making Riyadh its home through to 2026.
Saudi Tennis Federation president Arij Mutabagani said: “We’ve seen the passion that our young population has for the game, and our aim to inspire 1 million (people to take up) tennis by 2030 is progressing rapidly, as seen with the recent WTA community engagement programs that were rolled out across the city last week.
“With just 30 days to go until the world’s top female tennis stars compete here in Saudi Arabia for the first time, we’re excited to begin a new chapter for tennis in the Kingdo,” he added.
With WTA World Number 1 Swiatek, and 2024 US Open champion Sabalenka already confirmed for the season finale, the stage is set for a thrilling spectacle. Tickets are on sale via webook.com
The WTA Finals Riyadh is a key element of the STF’s plans to inspire participation in tennis across Saudi and is the latest international sports event to take place in the country. It is also part of the WTA’s aims to grow the game worldwide and inspire a new generation of girls to take to the court.
In recent weeks, WTA Finals tournament director Garbiñe Muguruza and community ambassador Judy Murray made the trip to Riyadh to kick off the WTA Community Engagement clinics supporting the STF’s efforts to inspire a new generation of Saudi tennis stars.
World’s best female tennis players heading to Riyadh next month
https://arab.news/na2j2
World’s best female tennis players heading to Riyadh next month
- The first professional women’s tennis event to take place in the Kingdom runs Nov. 2 to 9
- ‘We’re excited to begin a new chapter for tennis in the Kingdom,’ said Saudi Tennis Federation president Arij Mutabagani
Dubai Basketball introduce 17-year-old Tomislav Vuckovic as they stay perfect in ABA League
- Winning streak now at 12-0 after the team’s 90-79 victory over Borac Mozzart at Coca-Cola Arena
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball extended their winning streak to 12-0 in the ABA League with a 90-79 victory over Borac Mozzart at Coca-Cola Arena on Monday.
The game also marked a historic moment for the club and basketball development in the UAE. Tomislav Vuckovic, 17, became the first Dubai Basketball Academy player to start for the senior team in official competition.
His inclusion represents a significant milestone in the club’s long-term vision to help young players become professionals, according to a statement from the team.
The opening quarter did not unfold in line with Dubai’s usual standards. Borac Mozzart began with confidence and tempo, capitalizing on early lapses to take a 23-19 lead after the first 10 minutes.
As the former NBA duo McKinley Wright and Dwayne Bacon orchestrated the offence, Dubai gradually took control and went into halftime with a 41-37 advantage.
Dubai’s depth played a key role as the game progressed. Contributions from newcomer Kenan Kamenjas, and Dubai veterans Nemanja Dangubic and Klemen Prepelic, helped sustain the advantage.
Borac’s efforts were largely driven by Marko Josilo and Diante Baldwin. Without consistent support, the visitors were unable to mount a comeback.
Reflecting on the performance, Dubai Basketball Head Coach Jurica Golemac said: “It was not an easy game, especially after such a tight schedule.
“We did not start well, but we found our rhythm in the second half and made the game easier. Everyone shared minutes, nobody got injured, and that is the most important thing for us.”
Dubai managed the final quarter with composure, closing out the contest without allowing the margin to come under threat. Bacon led the scoring with 15 points, while Kamenjas added 13 and seven rebounds.
The team now head into round 22 of the EuroLeague against Virtus Bologna, standing 12th in the league, one position above Dubai.
