Saudi Arabia’s PIF, ATP Announce Multi-Year Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth of Global Tennis

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ATP unveiled a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ATP unveiled a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport.
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF, ATP Announce Multi-Year Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth of Global Tennis

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ATP unveiled a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ATP unveiled a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and ATP unveiled on Wednesday a new multi-year strategic partnership, marking a significant shared commitment to enhancing global tennis for players, fans, tournament organizers and stakeholders at all levels of the sport.

The major partnership will see PIF become the official naming partner of the ATP Rankings, celebrating players’ journeys and progress across the season and championing excellence as the Year-End No. 1, presented by PIF, is crowned at the Nitto ATP Finals which will take place in Turin, Italy until 2025.

PIF will partner with ATP Tour events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Beijing and the Nitto ATP Finals, in addition to the Next Gen ATP Finals, hosted in Jeddah until 2027. Following the launch of ATP’s Baseline program earlier this year, PIF has further committed to develop and unlock new opportunities for young players and player pathway initiatives, providing a significant boost to the game’s next generation of stars.

The ATP partnership forms part of PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, investing in people, projects and partnerships with an emphasis on the brand’s four pillars: inclusivity, sustainability, youth and technology.

Together, PIF and ATP will also collaborate to elevate the long-term future of tennis. PIF will actively contribute to ATP’s OneVision Strategic Plan which focuses on driving unity, enhancing fan experiences and leveraging scalable growth opportunities across the sport.

“Our strategic partnership with PIF marks a major moment for tennis. It's a shared commitment to propel the future of the sport,” said ATP CEO Massimo Calvelli.

“With PIF’s dedication to the next generation – fostering innovation and creating opportunities for all – the stage is set for a transformative new period of progress,” he stressed.

Mohamed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand at PIF, said: “As PIF expands its portfolio of innovative sponsorships, our commitment to 'Invested in Better' remains unwavering. Through our collaboration with ATP, PIF will be a catalyst for growth of the global tennis landscape, developing talent, fostering inclusivity and driving sustainable innovation.”

“This strategic partnership aligns with our broader vision to enhance quality of life and drive transformation in sport both within Saudi and across the world,” he added.

Tennis is rapidly becoming a key sport in Saudi Arabia with the number of registered players increasing by 46% between 2019 and 2023. PIF will leverage ATP’s expertise to develop further opportunities for young Saudis in tennis, including through state-of-the-art facilities, coaching, and an enhanced player pathway in Saudi Arabia.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is one of the largest and most impactful sovereign wealth funds in the world. Since 2015, when the Board was reconstituted and oversight transferred to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, PIF’s board of directors has been chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund.

PIF plays a leading role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and diversification, as well as contributing to shaping the future of the global economy. Since 2017, PIF has established over 90 companies.

PIF is building a diversified portfolio by entering into attractive and long-term investment opportunities in 13 strategic sectors in Saudi Arabia and globally.



Hadjar Back for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

FILE - Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
FILE - Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
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Hadjar Back for Red Bull at Azerbaijan GP

FILE - Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
FILE - Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar prepares for the first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

French racer Isack Hadjar will make his Formula One return this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after missing the last three races, his Red Bull team said on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old missed GPs in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain, and was replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson.

He had injured his wrist in training over the summer break.

"Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to welcome Isack back this weekend," the team said in social media posts, according to AFP.

"Having made a successful recovery from his wrist injury, Isack will return to action at the Baku City circuit on Thursday."

Lawson will return to the sister Racing Bulls team this weekend.
Japan's Yuki Tsunoda had filled in for Lawson during the last three Grand Prix.

Lawson scored 14 points during his Red Bull secondment, while Tsunoda managed a single point in the Racing Bulls seat.


Zidane Leads First France Training Session

France's head coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session four days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Türkiye in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
France's head coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session four days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Türkiye in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
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Zidane Leads First France Training Session

France's head coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session four days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Türkiye in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)
France's head coach Zinedine Zidane takes part in a training session four days ahead of France's UEFA Nations League football match against Türkiye in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines outside Paris, on September 21, 2026. (AFP)

Zinedine Zidane oversaw his first training session with the France national team on Monday as Les Bleus prepared for the start of the new Nations League campaign.

Under the gaze of some 50 journalists, the 1998 World Cup winner led a dozen of his players through a light training session at the country's national football center, Clairefontaine.

With many of France's stars in action with their clubs across Europe last weekend, not all of Zidane's 23-man squad were present.

Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano featured in the 12-strong group but captain Kylian Mbappe, who played in Real Madrid's derby loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, was a notable absentee.

Zidane was joined for the session by his assistant David Bettoni, who worked alongside him at Real Madrid, and former team-mate from the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning sides, Fabien Barthez, who is France's goalkeeping coach.

The session concluded with a short practice match, followed by shots on goal from crosses delivered by Zidane himself.

France face four Nations League fixtures following this first training camp of the Zidane era: away matches in Türkiye and Belgium on September 25 and 28, followed by home matches against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.


Infantino Proposes Consulting Federations to Reform FIFA

13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the DAZN pre-match interview ahead of the Club World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Metlife Stadium. (dpa)
13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the DAZN pre-match interview ahead of the Club World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Metlife Stadium. (dpa)
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Infantino Proposes Consulting Federations to Reform FIFA

13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the DAZN pre-match interview ahead of the Club World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Metlife Stadium. (dpa)
13 July 2025, US, East Rutherford: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the DAZN pre-match interview ahead of the Club World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Metlife Stadium. (dpa)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Monday suggested a "consultation" with the member federations to reform the world football governing body's decision-making processes, in a letter addressed to the 211 member associations, and seen by AFP.

"I will propose that the Council establish a direct, structured and time-limited consultation with confederations, Member Associations and relevant stakeholders on how FIFA's decision-making can be further strengthened," Infantino wrote.

The 56-year-old Swiss has come under fire since his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.

"The consultation would invite specific proposals on earlier institutional involvement, the respective roles of the President, the Bureau, the Council and the Congress, and practical ways to strengthen transparency, participation and accountability in major strategic initiatives," the letter continued.

Infantino asked for the initial proposals to be considered at the council meeting scheduled for October 15.

Infantino replaced Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA in 2016. He has come under severe pressure since the announcement in late July of proposals to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

The plan would have allowed private investors to acquire stakes in a company created under the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative. The backlash that followed led to the proposals being quickly shelved.

European football's governing body UEFA threatened to boycott FIFA competitions. It later suspended that threat, but has urged Infantino to resign and has been preparing possible legal action against him for alleged "criminal mismanagement".

Infantino addressed FFE in his letter on Monday and wrote that "FIFA's democratic processes, independence and sporting authority were never for sale".

The plan also "did not involve relinquishing FIFA's control or authority over sporting decisions", he insisted.

- 'Clear and trusted' -

He further lamented the fact that the scheme "entered the public domain before FIFA's planned institutional process had been completed and before it could be presented in full to the Council and the Member Associations".

"I recognize that, without the full context, this caused concern and created the impression that decisions had already been taken. They had not," Infantino added.

"Major ideas must be developed, tested and communicated through clear and trusted institutions. That is a responsibility I take seriously."

UEFA, alongside North American body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), issued a no-holds-barred joint letter against Infantino in August.

"Leadership in football is not a possession. It is not about holding -- or demanding -- power to be held," they wrote.

FIFA confirmed earlier in September that Infantino will stand for re-election as president next March.

At this stage, he is the only candidate. However, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani is widely seen as a likely challenger.

Candidate nominations for next year's election must be submitted by November 18.