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Saudi Arabia Pledges 'Outstanding Experience' for Football Fans at FIFA Club World Cup

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz. -SPA
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz. -SPA
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Saudi Arabia Pledges 'Outstanding Experience' for Football Fans at FIFA Club World Cup

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz. -SPA
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz. -SPA

Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal expressed the Kingdom’s commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for football fans during the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah, SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the tournament for the first time from December 12 to 22, featuring seven competing teams representing the sport’s six continental regions.
"We are delighted to host the FIFA Club World Cup on Saudi Arabian soil for the first time, which reflects the remarkable progress our great nation is witnessing, praise be to Allah," stated the minister of sport.
He further noted that progress in this regard has transformed the Kingdom into a preferred global destination for athletes and a hub for organizing major events across various sports.
The minister attributed this progress to the unwavering support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom.

The minister extended a warm welcome to all participating teams and sports fans from around the world, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to providing football enthusiasts with an extraordinary experience.
He highlighted the previous sports events hosted by the Kingdom, which serve as “a testament to its ascent to global leadership in sports.”

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Noval Djokovic Beaten by Big-serving Reilly Opelka in Quarterfinals of Brisbane International

Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his match against USA's Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, in Brisbane, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his match against USA's Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, in Brisbane, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
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Noval Djokovic Beaten by Big-serving Reilly Opelka in Quarterfinals of Brisbane International

Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his match against USA's Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, in Brisbane, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic looks on during his match against USA's Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International, in Brisbane, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)

Novak Djokovic was beaten 7-6 (6), 6-3 by big-serving Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane International quarterfinals on Friday.

The 37-year-old Djokovic was playing his first tournament of the year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is preparing for the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 12 and which he has won 10 times.

“Amazing tennis, Reilly. Absolutely deserved,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.

Opelka served 16 aces — including one to finish off each set — to earn one of the biggest wins of the American’s career.

“I was just focused on my spots,” Opelka said. “If I hit them, it’s hard to get them back. If there’s anyone that can, it’s him, The AP reported.

“We have nothing to lose coming in against him. He’s the greatest player ever,” Opelka added. “So you end up playing more free and you take a lot more risk. If you play your normal level or even above a normal level, he’s going to win every time. So it’s tough in his position because he gets guys that are good players that they roll the dice. And on a on a day like this when a lot of things go my way that’s how it works out.”

New coach Andy Murray will join Djokovic in Melbourne.

Opelka achieved a career-high ranking of No. 17 in Feb. 2022 before undergoing hip surgery later that year to remove a benign tumor. He’s now No. 293.

“It was tough. A lot of uncertainty, a lot of doubt,” Opelka said.

In the semifinals, Opelka will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat Jakub Mensik 7-5, 7-6 (5). The other semifinal will feature Jiri Lehecka against Grigor Dimitrov.

Lehecka beat Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 6-4 and Dimitrov advanced when Jordan Thompson retired while Dimitrov was ahead 6-1, 2-1.