The sports industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid growth, with a diverse range of activities and events captivating the nation. Sports such as football and tennis are not only enriching lives but also presenting new opportunities for individuals to pursue their passions and aspirations.
In particular, tennis has been gaining considerable momentum in the Kingdom, largely due to the efforts of Arij Almutabagani, the president of the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF). Since assuming her role in 2021, Almutabagani has been instrumental in expanding the sport across all levels, with a strong emphasis on nurturing young players.
With 63 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population of over 32 million being under the age of 30, Almutabagani emphasises the importance of investing in the youth for the long-term success of any sport. Consequently, the STF has experienced remarkable growth, with 177 tennis clubs now established in Saudi Arabia, marking a 146 percent increase since 2019. The number of registered players has also surged by 46 percent, reaching 2,300, while the U14 players have doubled from 500 to over 1,000 in the last four years.
To further promote the sport, the STF has implemented various programs, such as “Tennis For All”, a mass participation program aimed at introducing tennis to a new generation of sports enthusiasts. This initiative has proven to be successful, with over 13,000 individuals participating in the first edition and an even higher figure in the subsequent year.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia is currently hosting its first-ever professional tennis event – the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by NEOM. This historic event, sanctioned by the ATP Tour, marks the beginning of a five-year contract to bring the pinnacle of young global tennis talent to the Kingdom.
With the value of Saudi Arabia’s sports event industry expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2024, and substantial investments being made to support the growth of sports, it is evident that tennis is poised to play a significant role in the country’s future sports event industry.
As the Kingdom eagerly anticipates welcoming tennis enthusiasts from across Saudi Arabia and beyond to witness the thrilling matches and experience the excitement of the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, the future of tennis in Saudi Arabia looks incredibly promising.