Caroline Wozniacki thinks Rafael Nadal’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia is just another major indication that more tennis coming to the Kingdom is “inevitable.”
On Monday, the Saudi Tennis Federation announced Nadal as its new global ambassador. Amid the growing talks of Saudi Arabia potentially securing some of the biggest tournaments in the world, signing Nadal as their ambassador is undoubtedly a major step forward for the Saudis.
Last year, the ATP gave Jeddah the right to host the Next Gen ATP Finals through 2027. Ultimately, the WTA Finals didn’t go to Saudi Arabia, but there are now strong rumors indicating that the prestigious season-ending tournament will be going to the Kingdom this year.
Those opposing tennis getting involved with Saudi Arabia weren’t happy at all when the Nadal announcement came out. In Melbourne, 2018 Australian Open champion Wozniacki was asked to share her thoughts on Nadal joining forces with the Saudi Tennis Federation.
Wozniacki on Nadal forming a partnership with the Saudi Tennis Federation
“Honestly, I haven’t read much up on Rafa and what he’s doing, but obviously Saudi is coming into sports in a very strong way. I think both in golf and football or soccer and now in tennis,” Wozniacki said in her press conference after losing to Maria Timofeeva.
“I think it’s inevitable that that’s going to happen, and I think when that does happen, I think we have a chance to make a change and do something good there.”
In a statement released on Monday, Nadal said he was seeing “the growth in progress” in every area in Saudi Arabia. Also, Nadal said he sees “a real potential” for the growth of tennis in the Kingdom.
For this year, there is no doubt that a big goal of the Saudis will be to land a long-term deal to host the WTA Finals. It will be interesting to see if the rumors will become reality and Saudi Arabia gets a multi-year deal to host the WTA Finals.
