Court of Legends: Tennis Stars Take Over Riyadh
Saudi Arabia turned the spotlight on tennis by hosting two major tournaments in Riyadh: the first-ever Six Kings Tennis Tournament and the WTA Finals. As the Kingdom moves rapidly to establish itself as an unmissable destination on the professional tennis tours, these two high profile tournaments are also a reflection of the transforming life in the Kingdom of Thrills, where both men and women are playing and watching sports of every type, from football to fencing, basketball to boxing, rally-driving to rowing … and tennis is no exception. As the biggest names in tennis already look forward to coming back next year, here is what happened in this year’s significant events.
The Six Kings Tournament: A Battle of Legends and Rising Stars
The first ever Six Kings Tennis Slam kicked off with a stacked lineup and an exciting new format, combining a knockout-style tournament with the world’s top tennis players. Designed to be short, intense, and action-packed, the event featured single-elimination rounds, meaning each match was a do-or-die for the players. Live court-side audiences and those watching around the world were treated to the sight of young challengers facing down their heroes. And, with a single-elimination format, the path to the top was short but steep.
Top players like Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Italy’s Jannik Sinner were in the mix, along with the fierce Carlos Alcaraz from Spain and Denmark’s Holger Rune. These stars faced tennis icons Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have dominated the sport for years. For the younger players, this was a chance to make their mark – and they didn’t waste it.
On the first day, Sinner proved himself no saint by bringing down Medvedev and then winning a fierce match against Djokovic. Meanwhile, shooting star Carlos Alcaraz was burning his way through the tournament. He saw to Holger Rune in a two-sets to love victory, setting up a show-down with his compatriot Rafael Nadal in which he again triumphed.
The finals saw two historic showdowns: Sinner and Alcaraz jousting for the largest prize-pot in tennis history; and the last ever tournament match between Djokovic and Nadal. In the end, Sinner continued his winning charge to be crowned first ever Six Kings champion and Djokovic took the honors against Nadal.
Yet, the atmosphere was one of genuine camaraderie, with all players hailing the retiring Nadal – Djokovic even calling on his long-time friend and rival to postpone his ride into the sunset. As the Kingdom’s efforts to become a global sports hub both for men and women continued to pick up, the efforts of Saudi Arabia to establish itself as a Tennis power-hitter did not stop at the Six Kings Tournament.
The WTA Finals: Women’s Tennis Shines in Saudi Arabia
Right after the Kings of the court battled it out, the WTA Finals took over Riyadh, making history as the first time this prestigious women’s event was held in the Middle East. The top eight singles players and doubles teams of the season gathered at King Saud University to compete for a record-breaking prize pool of $15.25 million, showing that women’s tennis has truly arrived in Saudi Arabia.
The tournament was packed with drama and standout moments. In the singles final, 20-year-old Coco Gauff fought her way to her first WTA Finals title in a comeback win against China’s Zheng Qinwen. Gauff’s journey was nothing short of impressive – she took down top players, including Iga Swiatek in the group stage, and kept her cool under pressure. Facing Zheng in the final, Gauff came from a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2), showing resilience and determination that had the crowd on their feet.
In doubles, Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe took home the title, defeating Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend 7-5, 6-3 in a game that showcased teamwork and grit.
But the WTA Finals were about more than just trophies. Hosting the event in Saudi Arabia sparked conversations about change and opportunity. Coco Gauff expressed hope that events like these could inspire young women across the region. “I am proud of the way the fans and the Saudi people showed up here, I saw a lot of ball girls at the court and there are a lot of young and rising tennis stars here. I feel like this is growth of something. It feels like there is a shift, people see themselves in us,” Gauff said after winning her first WTA Finals title.
With the energy and talent on display this year, the WTA Finals in Riyadh set a new standard for tennis in the Middle East. Next season, all eyes will be on Saudi Arabia as fans and players alike wonder who’ll bring the fire in the “Kingdom of Champions.”
