Tennis: strategic partnership between the ATP & the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF)

The Association of Tennis Professionals and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) have signed a "multi-year strategic partnership" on 28/02/2024. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund will become a "platinum partner", the second level in the ATP's sponsorship hierarchy.

As part of the agreement, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund will take over from Australian online broker Pepperstone as the namer of the ATP rankings, which will be known as "PIF ATP Rankings" from the same day. "PIF will partner with ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the Nitto ATP Finals (organised until 2025 in Turin, ITA), in addition to the Next Gen ATP Finals, hosted in Jeddah (KSA) until 2027.

Tennis is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia: the Federation had 177 affiliated clubs in 2023 (up 146% on 2019) and 2,300 members (up 46%). "PIF will leverage ATP’s expertise to develop further opportunities for young Saudis in tennis, including via state-of-the-art facilities, coaching, and an enhanced player pathway in Saudi Arabia," explained the two partners.

• The PIF is also becoming involved…