Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH and LONDON — The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have announced a new multi-year strategic partnership.

This collaboration is set to enhance the global tennis landscape, benefiting players, fans, and stakeholders throughout the sport.

A cornerstone of this partnership is PIF's role as the official naming partner of the ATP Rankings.

This collaboration celebrates the achievements and progression of players throughout the season, culminating in the crowning of the Year-End No. 1 at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, continuing until 2025.

Additionally, PIF will extend its support to premier ATP Tour events, including those in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, and the Nitto ATP Finals.

The partnership also encompasses the Next Gen ATP Finals, slated to be hosted in Jeddah until 2027.

Following the ATP’s Baseline program launch, PIF is set to unlock new opportunities for the sport's emerging talents and support player development initiatives, promising a significant uplift for the future stars of tennis.

The collaboration is part of PIF's extensive sponsorship endeavors, which focus on inclusivity, sustainability, youth, and technology.

These pillars underscore PIF's commitment to investing in transformative projects and partnerships that foster community engagement and sustainable growth.

Together, PIF and ATP aim to spearhead the long-term development of tennis.

Through PIF's engagement with the ATP’s OneVision Strategic Plan, the partnership will focus on unifying the sport, enhancing fan experiences, and identifying scalable growth opportunities to secure a prosperous future for tennis.

Massimo Calvelli, CEO of ATP, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting it as a pivotal moment for tennis.

He emphasized the mutual ambition to drive the sport forward, praising PIF's commitment to innovation and creating inclusive opportunities.

Mohamed Alsayyad, head of corporate brand at PIF, reaffirmed the fund's dedication to fostering growth within the global tennis community.

He emphasized the strategic partnership's alignment with PIF's vision to enhance quality of life and enact meaningful change in sports both within Saudi Arabia and internationally.

This partnership comes at a time when tennis is experiencing significant growth in Saudi Arabia, with a 46% increase in registered players from 2019 to 2023.

PIF plans to leverage this momentum, utilizing ATP's expertise to further develop tennis in Saudi Arabia through state-of-the-art facilities, coaching, and an enhanced player pathway, promising an exciting future for the sport in the Kingdom and beyond.