Jeddah, the vibrant city in Saudi Arabia, has been officially announced as the host of the Next Gen ATP Finals from 2023 to 2027.
This exciting men’s tennis tournament, which showcases the top under-21 ranked players, will now take place at the magnificent King Abdullah Sports City.
The tournament is scheduled to be held from November 28th to December 2nd, 2023, and will offer an impressive prize money of $2 million.
In the past, the Next Gen Finals were held in the beautiful city of Milan in Italy. However, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) decided to explore new horizons and selected Jeddah as the next destination for this prestigious event.
The decision was made after careful consideration of various factors, including the suitability of the venue, international connectivity, and the potential to promote professional tennis in a new market.
This historic announcement marks a significant milestone for tennis in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) has been working tirelessly to establish tennis as a marquee and gender-equal sport in the nation.
This effort aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, a comprehensive government initiative aimed at transforming the kingdom into a major hub for sports, entertainment, and tourism, while diversifying its economy beyond oil.
The ATP’s decision to bring the Next Gen Finals to Jeddah reflects the growing popularity and enthusiasm for tennis in the region. Recreational clinics are already at full capacity across the country, indicating a strong interest in the sport.
This event will not only provide a platform for young talents to showcase their skills but also contribute to the overall development of tennis in Saudi Arabia.
As Jeddah prepares to host its first official professional tennis event, the city is poised to make a significant impact on the global tennis stage.
With its state-of-the-art facilities and the support of the local community, Jeddah is ready to welcome the world’s best young players and create an unforgettable tennis experience for fans and participants alike.
“The ATP Tour is truly global and exploring new markets is central to growing the game,” said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.
“Bringing the Next Gen ATP Finals to Jeddah is our chance to inspire new fans, in a region with a vast young population, and unite audiences around tennis. Our congratulations go to Jeddah and the Saudi Tennis Federation. We look forward to building on the event’s incredible success together.”
Arij Mutabagani, president of the Saudi Tennis Federation, added: “We are extremely proud that ATP has selected Jeddah to host such an important tennis event. The Next Gen ATP Finals embodies the philosophy of our federation, which is to inspire young talent to reach the sport’s highest levels.
“We’re excited to collaborate to promote the ATP Tour’s most promising rising stars, and showcase new sporting innovations, in our special city of Jeddah.”
