Is Saudi Arabia’s Dominance in Tennis a Result of Sportswashing or Progress in the Country? | Global News

Saudi Arabia is making waves in the world of sports, with a particular focus on tennis. Arij Mutabagani, the president of the Saudi Tennis Federation, is leading the charge to bring tennis to a nation of 35 million people from scratch. Despite some skepticism surrounding the decision to host the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia until 2026, Arij sees it as a valuable opportunity to showcase the sport and grow the game, especially among women.

With a goal of introducing tennis to at least 200,000 boys and girls by the time the finals take place in November, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in promoting the sport. Arij emphasizes that there are no restrictions for girls playing tennis, including dress code, and the country is welcoming to all.

While there has been criticism from tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert regarding equality for women in Saudi Arabia, Arij remains hopeful that they will support the country’s efforts to promote tennis and inspire the younger generation. The message from Saudi Arabia is clear – everyone is welcome, and they are eager to learn and grow in the world of tennis.

Tennis player Ons Jabeur, the highest-seeded female player from an Arab background, sees the opportunity for Saudi Arabia to share tennis experiences with young aspiring champions. The country’s focus on building grassroots tennis programs and hosting junior ITF tournaments is a step towards developing elite players in the future. While the road to producing a professional champion may be long, Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in sports leaves the possibility open for a future tennis star to emerge from the region.