One tennis star appears on board with Saudi Arabia wanting to expand its sports reach to the game.
ATP Tour chair Andrea Gaudenzi reportedly revealed that he had talks with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has laid its stakes in soccer and golf recently, per the Daily Mail.
And the polarizing Nick Kyrgios of Australia appears to be all for it.
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Australia’s Nick Kyrgios returns the ball to Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on May 30, 2017 in Paris. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)
“Finally,” he wrote in all caps. “They see the value. We are going to get paid what we deserve to get paid. Sign me up.” Kyrgios added 10 bag of money emojis after as well.
It’s no secret the PIF is trying to get its hands into whatever sport possible, especially ones with global reach like soccer, golf and tennis.
On the pitch, they’ve already landed two Ballon d’Or winners in Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to play in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League. They have also bought into an English Premier League team, as Newcastle United is under its control.
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And the PIF reportedly has a massive offer worth 16 billion pounds out to buy the rights to Formula One.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Nick Kyrgios of Australia pose for a photo following their Arena Showdown charity match ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Tennis is already coming to Saudi Arabia, too, as the NextGen finals, which plays host to the world’s eight-best players under 21 years old, will be hosted in Jeddah, the second-largest city in the country, in November, per the Daily Mail.
The PIF has its fair share of critics as it continues to make a move in the sports world. Many believe it to be “sportswashing” to improve the country’s reputation due to its poor human rights record.
Saudi Arabia has been steadfast in denying these accusations, but nonetheless, critics have taken their shots.
Those in the tennis world might soon come out as well if the PIF gets its hands on a piece of the pie, but Kyrgios won’t be among that group.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks during a press conference during a practice session ahead of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
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He’s all for joining them.
