Nick Kyrgios has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s interest in tennis as officials consider increased contributions from the country’s Public Investment Fund. The Australian player indicated he was keen for tennis to follow golf’s venture into Saudi investment and reap the associated financial rewards.
“Finally. They see the value,” Krygios said on Twitter with added money bag emojis. “We are going to get paid what we deserve to get paid. Sign me up.” The ATP website lists Kyrgios’s career earnings as more than US$12m.
Tennis is the latest sport to be linked to a potential Saudi takeover, raising more questions about the influence on global sport of a country known for widespread human rights abuses. Kyrgios has made few appearances on tour since injuring his knee during a lucrative exhibition match in Saudi Arabia in December. He lost his purported comeback match in Stuttgart, putting his Wimbledon chances in doubt.
ATP chair, Andrea Gaudenzi, recently confirmed “positive” discussions had taken place with potential investors, including the PIF. After his win at the Queen’s Club on Sunday world men’s No 1 Carlos Alcaraz said he had “no doubts” he would be playing in tournaments in Saudi Arabia at some point.
The Next Gen tournament, featuring the top eight men’s players aged 21 and under, is due to move from Milan to Saudi Arabia for the next five years under a new deal. But Tennis Australia chief, Craig Tiley, is confident tennis won’t face the threat of a polarising breakaway group like LIV Golf.
“What’s different to what we’re seeing [in other sports] is this is an investment in the current structure of the game and not an investment in an alternative option,” Tiley said. “But like everything in the world, there’s lots of changes always going on. So you’ve got to watch what’s going on and stay close to it.”
However, similar to golf, tennis’s four majors are operated separate from the ATP, WTC and International Tennis Federation – resulting in seven different governing bodies – which makes any sport-wide changes more complicated. We work closely together, constantly work closely together in the best interest of the sport.
“I think they can do a lot better – those seven governing bodies – about doing a lot more work together but we’re on that track of at least having those conversations where a few years ago that was not taking place. The sport of tennis is in a healthy place right now because there is that conversation, probably unlike in other sports where there was not that conversation – and the four slams are very influential in the decision making.”
Tiley is hopeful Kyrgios, who was a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, can make another run at his favourite event, saying he was fit to play. “Ultimately it’s up to Nick,” he said. “It’ll be in the training and he has been doing that. The match toughness and match preparedness comes with playing more matches. If he’s healthy – getting past the first few matches will be key for him and then he’ll be on a roll.”
