Saudi Arabia's PIF and ATP forge long-term strategic partnership to drive global tennis expansion

By Elias Al Helou

According to a press release from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the fund has entered into a new strategic partnership with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). The partnership aims to enhance global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers, and stakeholders in the sport.

As part of the agreement, PIF will become the official naming partner of the ATP Rankings, highlighting players’ progress throughout the season and presenting the Year-End No. 1 award at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, Italy until 2025.

PIF will also collaborate with several ATP Tour events, including Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing, the Nitto ATP Finals, and the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah until 2027.

Additionally, the fund is committed to supporting young players and player pathway initiatives through their involvement in the ATP’s Baseline program, aiming to bolster the next generation of tennis stars.

The partnership between PIF and ATP aligns with PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, focusing on inclusivity, sustainability, youth, and technology. Together, they will work towards elevating the long-term future of tennis by contributing to ATP’s OneVision Strategic Plan, which emphasizes unity, fan experiences, and scalable growth opportunities within the sport.

Both ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli and PIF’s Head of Corporate Brand, Mohamed AlSayyad, expressed their excitement about the partnership and its potential to transform tennis. They highlighted PIF’s dedication to fostering innovation, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable innovation in the sport.

Tennis has been gaining popularity in Saudi Arabia, with a 46 percent increase in registered players between 2019 and 2023. PIF plans to leverage ATP’s expertise to further develop tennis opportunities for young Saudis, including state-of-the-art facilities, coaching, and an enhanced player pathway within the country.