Sports Boulevard Foundation Announces Launch of Design Code for Prince Mohammad bin Salman Road

The Sports Boulevard project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman on March 19, 2019. (Sports Boulevard)
The Sports Boulevard project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman on March 19, 2019. (Sports Boulevard)
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Sports Boulevard Foundation Announces Launch of Design Code for Prince Mohammad bin Salman Road

The Sports Boulevard project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman on March 19, 2019. (Sports Boulevard)
The Sports Boulevard project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman on March 19, 2019. (Sports Boulevard)

The board of directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, announced on Thursday the launch of the Design Code for Prince Mohammad bin Salman Road.

The Design Code is driven by the principles of Salmani Architecture, curated by the efforts of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, which is based on both – originality and modernity.

It ensures to improve the modern design quality while highlighting the current local architectural identity. The style is featured by its flexibility, vitality, and variety of elements, not mimeographing the old urban vocabulary on new projects, but rather allowing the architect to choose innovative elements, inspired and imitated by the past with new design templates.

The Design Code aims to provide a modern and sustainable environment that enhances the quality of life by improving the architectural design quality, urban planning regulations, building regulations, parking regulations, environmental regulations, as well as land use and shop signs, unifying the urban structures and stimulating investment and real state elements as per standards.

The aim of the Design Code is to provide regulation standards for engineering design and is a reference guide for all the current and potential commercial and residential property owners, developers, and investors, contributing to a design pattern that will harmonize the paths of Sports Boulevard for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, forming a modern and sustainable environment for Riyadh residents and visitors.

The Sports Boulevard project is one of Riyadh’s mega projects launched by King Salman on March 19, 2019. The project is set to become the “longest linear park” in the world and extends for more than 135 kilometers on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road connecting Wadi Hanifah in the West with Wadi Al Sulai in the East through a grid of safe green pathways for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-riders.

The project includes 4.4 million square meters of greenery and open spaces, and up to 50 multidisciplinary sports facilities. Artistic landmarks feature throughout. In addition, there are several unique districts and investment zones, totaling an area which exceeds 2.3 million square meters.



Alexander Zverev Returns to Australian Open Quarterfinals, Faces Tommy Paul Next

Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning his Men's Singles round four match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2025. (EPA)
Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning his Men's Singles round four match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2025. (EPA)
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Alexander Zverev Returns to Australian Open Quarterfinals, Faces Tommy Paul Next

Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning his Men's Singles round four match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2025. (EPA)
Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates winning his Men's Singles round four match against Ugo Humbert of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2025. (EPA)

No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fourth time by beating No. 14 Ugo Humbert 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 with the help of 19 aces and a 43-23 advantage in total winners on Sunday night.

Next up for two-time major runner-up Zverev will be a matchup Tuesday against 12th-seeded American Tommy Paul, who ended Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s run of comebacks and reached his third Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory earlier.

Zverev did not have much of a chance to get ready before heading to Australia: He sat out the United Cup team competition because of an arm injury.

“A week ago, I was very unsure of my level. I was very unsure of my tennis,” the 27-year-old German said. “Couldn't really play a lot of sets in practice. Couldn't really prepare the way I wanted to.”

Paul needed less than 1 1/2 hours on Sunday to finish off a diminished opponent. The 66th-ranked Davidovich Fokina had won his last two matches despite dropping the first two sets in both.

“What he did is unreal the past couple matches. ... To do it twice in a row is amazing,” Paul said.

But Paul won nearly twice as many points as his Spanish rival, 85 to 43, and will be well-rested heading into the showdown with Zverev.

“This week, I did something a little different, where I haven’t practiced on the days in between my matches at all. Like, I haven’t even stepped on the court, just ’cause I started with a five-setter, and my body was a little tired. Every match has gotten a little shorter since then,” said Paul, who was born in New Jersey and grew up in North Carolina.

“I mean, my body feels great right now. Especially after the match today, it was a pretty short one,” Paul said. “It’s helpful (for) going deep into tournaments.”

His best showing at any Slam was getting to the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2023. He will try to repeat that by getting past Zverev, who lost in the finals of the 2020 US Open and the 2024 French Open.

A year ago, Zverev exited in the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the second time.

Paul was one of four American men to reach the fourth round in Australia this year. No. 21 Ben Shelton, qualifier Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen will try to join him in the quarterfinals when they play fourth-round matches on Monday.

Paul has won both matches he and Zverev have played against each other, but the most recent was in 2022.

“I've got to be at my best,” Zverev said. “I've got to play the way I did the first week — hopefully a little bit better.”