Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka's Unintentional Soccer Shot Hits Photographer at WTA Finals EventWorld No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka's attempt at a penalty kick during a visit with youth soccer players in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, took an unexpected turn when her shot veered off target and struck a WTA Finals photographer in the head.The incident occurred as Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, who is in Riyadh to support the event, were interacting with the young girls. Sabalenka's attempt to showcase her soccer skills went awry when her shot missed the goal and hit the photographer, who was kneeling to capture the moment.Sabalenka immediately rushed over to apologize to the photographer, who was not injured and took the incident in good humor. Jabeur also checked on the photographer's well-being, joking that she "didn't have insurance."The photographer later posted a video of the incident on social media, with a humorous caption acknowledging Sabalenka's "serious damages" in Riyadh.Despite the mishap, Sabalenka and Jabeur continued their visit with the youth soccer players, engaging in conversations and posing for photos. The two players were also presented with personalized Saudi soccer jerseys with their names and the number '34' on the back, representing the bid year for the 2034 World Cup.Jabeur, who has been a vocal advocate for the WTA Finals to be held in Saudi Arabia, expressed her belief that the country is making progress in terms of women's rights and that it is time for the WTA to support the event in the Gulf country.

Two of the biggest names in tennis, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, have arrived in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the season-ending WTA Finals. Both players have been out of action since the US Open, but they are now ready to return to competition.Swiatek, the world's No. 2-ranked player, has been working with new coach Wim Fissette in the two weeks since she officially tabbed the Belgian to lead her coaching team. She is eager to return to action and regain the top spot in the rankings, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka on Oct. 21.Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has also undergone a high-profile coaching change this year. She parted ways with Stefano Vukov ahead of the US Open and has been shrouded under a cloud of uncertainty about her physical and mental health in the weeks since. However, she looked in good spirits as she traveled to Riyadh with her team.Both Swiatek and Rybakina have put to rest some of the lingering doubts about their respective statuses with their mere presence in Riyadh. However, it remains to be seen what sort of form they will bring to the match court when the tournament officially begins on Saturday.

Garbiñe Muguruza, the former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, has been appointed as the tournament director of the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia. This marks a significant milestone for the event, as Muguruza becomes the first former player to hold this prestigious position.Muguruza, who retired from professional tennis in April, won the WTA Finals in 2021. Her appointment as tournament director reflects her deep understanding of the game and her commitment to promoting women's tennis.The WTA Finals, which feature the Top 8 singles players and doubles teams, will move to the Saudi Arabian capital for 2024 on a three-year deal. The event will offer a record $15.25 million in prize money, showcasing the growing investment in women's tennis.In her new role, Muguruza will work closely with the WTA, the Saudi Tennis Federation, and the Ministry of Sport to oversee the strategic planning and delivery of the event. She will focus on raising tennis' profile in the region and promoting health and wellness initiatives for young people.Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in professional tennis, including title sponsorship of the ATP and WTA rankings. The Saudi Tennis Federation aims to have 1 million players in the country by 2030. Muguruza's appointment as tournament director aligns with this ambitious goal.Muguruza expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, "I know how special this event is for our top players, and I've also seen its potential to inspire communities all over the world. I'm excited to work with a great team to present a showcase for women's tennis that not only grows tennis but encourages all fans, and especially girls and women, to pursue their dreams."Muguruza's appointment adds to the growing number of former players who serve as tournament directors of various tour events. Amelie Mauresmo at Roland Garros and Conchita Martinez at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals are notable examples.

Saudi Arabia's ambitious foray into tennis has taken another significant step with the announcement of a multiyear deal to sponsor the WTA women's rankings. This partnership follows the kingdom's recent acquisition of the ATP men's rankings sponsorship and the hosting rights for the WTA season-ending championships in Riyadh.The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia becomes the first naming-rights partner for the WTA rankings. The agreement also includes plans to promote tennis at grassroots levels, fostering the growth of the sport in the region.The move has sparked debate within the tennis community, with concerns raised about Saudi Arabia's human rights record, particularly regarding women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues. However, the WTA has emphasized its commitment to promoting equality and inclusion through its partnership with the PIF.The WTA Finals in Riyadh will offer a record prize money of $15.25 million, a 70% increase from 2023. Saudi Arabia's growing involvement in tennis extends beyond the WTA and ATP rankings. The kingdom has also invested in the LIV Golf tour and soccer, and has hosted the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah.Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner are among the top players who have signed on as ambassadors for the Saudi Tennis Federation. Discussions are underway to establish a top-tier Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to a restructuring of the WTA and ATP tours.Saudi Arabia's investment in tennis is part of its broader Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and promote sports and entertainment. The kingdom aims to become a global hub for major sporting events and attract international athletes and fans.