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LaLiga President: Those Not Seeing Saudi League’s Progress Are Blind

LaLiga President Javier Tebas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
LaLiga President Javier Tebas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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LaLiga President: Those Not Seeing Saudi League’s Progress Are Blind

LaLiga President Javier Tebas (Asharq Al-Awsat)
LaLiga President Javier Tebas (Asharq Al-Awsat)

LaLiga President Javier Tebas revealed in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that he has unequivocally changed his perspective on sports in Saudi Arabia.
This shift follows a negative position that Tebas had held from years ago.
Tebas attributed the primary reason for this change of heart to his firsthand experience during a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he closely observed and actively participated in ongoing initiatives.
The LaLiga president characterized those who fail to recognize Saudi sports initiatives, the desire for improvement, and the overall commitment to advancing football and sports as “blind.”
“I previously spoke about sports washing in Saudi Arabia,” reminded Tebas in his remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.
“I remember, it was about six years ago in London, and it's clear that my opinion changed solely through visiting the Kingdom,” he commented on his change of heart.
“I wasn't aware of it before. I believe that when discussing the Kingdom, you have to come here to realize that there has been a lot of progress, a lot of change,” explained Tebas.
“Well, that was six years ago in London, and I changed my opinion after the visit,” he affirmed.
“When I said that at the time, I didn't know much about Saudi Arabia, its plans, and its ideas,” noted the LaLiga president.
Tebas pointed to implemented agreements between the league in Spain and the Saudi Ministry of Sports to enhance academies and schools.
“We have begun executing agreements with the Saudi Ministry of Sports, concentrating on the development of academies and schools,” said Tebas.
“Despite being in its early stages, this initiative, initiated several months ago, is showing promising growth,” he clarified.
“We are optimistic about achieving further success in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports,” asserted Tebas.
He emphasized these projects as crucial for the development of Saudi sports and the qualification of personnel.
Tebas also highlighted collaborative efforts with Saudi Arabia to cultivate Saudi football talents, preparing them for the 2034 World Cup, an event the Kingdom aspires to host.
“Initiatives are already underway, and we are currently planning a trip for young players to the LaLiga Football Academy in Madrid,” revealed Tebas.
“Our clear objective is to groom talents for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Aِdditionally, the LaLiga head revealed that he would have accepted an executive position in Saudi sports if offered, had he not been elected president of the Spanish football association.
He expressed confidence in the Saudis’ capabilities in their sports, particularly in the nation’s foremost popular game, football.

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Australian Open Champion Jannik Sinner’s Style Draws Comparisons to Novak Djokovic 

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup the morning after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
Jannik Sinner of Italy poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup the morning after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
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Australian Open Champion Jannik Sinner’s Style Draws Comparisons to Novak Djokovic 

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup the morning after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
Jannik Sinner of Italy poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup the morning after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)

Of all the praise bestowed on Jannik Sinner after he won his second consecutive Australian Open championship, and third Grand Slam title overall, nothing felt as significant as the comparison made by runner-up Alexander Zverev.

Facing Sinner, particularly on hard courts, reminded Zverev a lot of trying to solve the challenge presented by none other than 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic.

"He’s very, very similar to Novak when he was at his best. They barely miss. Like, barely miss. They make you think like you have to overhit all the time to have a chance in a rally against them," Zverev said after losing to Sinner 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 at Melbourne Park on Sunday night.

"It’s very, very difficult to win a point from the back of the court against them — against Novak and him," said Zverev, who is ranked No. 2 but felt much further away from No. 1 Sinner in Rod Laver Arena. "(Both) move, obviously, tremendous. They’re constantly on the baseline. They don’t give you any space. They don’t give you any time."

Sinner, still just 23, is a long way from achieving just a fraction of what Djokovic has at 37, of course.

And just as Djokovic had a couple of hurdles by the names of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to deal with, Sinner is not alone among the newest generation of tennis stars. His top rival at this point is Carlos Alcaraz, who has four Slam victories at age 21 — and won all three matches he played against Sinner in 2024.

Still, it made sense to think of Djokovic while watching Sinner extend his record in major finals to 3-0, which includes a US Open title in September.

What about Sinner is similar to Djokovic?

The never-give-an-inch court coverage. The squeaking sneakers while sprinting, stretching, sliding to reach shots that most other players wouldn't. The ability to flip from defense to offense in a split second. The wherewithal and reflexes to neutralize even the biggest servers.

Add it all up — plus a serve good enough to avoid any break points against Zverev — and Sinner is certainly formidable.

Those Djokovic-like tendencies are not mere coincidence.

Sinner, who is from Italy, modeled himself after the Serbian star.

"Game style-wise I looked up to him, trying to understand what he’s doing, how he handles the pressure moments and important moments," Sinner said. "I still believe we are different as players, because everyone is different, but for sure we have similarities. The similarities are having quite clean ball-striking from the baseline, having good movement, understanding a little bit where your opponent (is going to play) the ball."

Sinner keeps improving

The swift improvement Sinner has made over the past couple of years is unmistakable.

It's why he ascended atop the rankings last June and hasn't budged. It's why he is 80-6 with nine titles since the start of last season. It's why no one wants to play him these days.

Zverev was 4-2 against Sinner before Sunday, including wins at the US Open in 2021 and 2023.

How much has Sinner changed since then?

"He serves better. He returns better. He hits his forehand better. He hits his backhand better. He moves better. He volleys better. I mean, there’s nothing that he doesn’t do better right now," Zverev said. "I remember those matches. Before, I always felt like once I was getting on top of the rally, I was winning most of those rallies. Now it’s like he’s prime Novak. It’s so difficult to go through him."

The upcoming task will be to get better on clay and grass, the surfaces at the French Open and Wimbledon. Before play begins at Roland Garros in May, Sinner has a hearing scheduled in April in the World Anti-Doping Agency's appeal of a ruling that cleared him in a doping case.

"At the moment, I’m not thinking about this," Sinner said. "Of course, you have your moments, (on) certain days, where you feel like: ‘I wish I would not have this problem.’"

Sinner and his two coaches, Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, all talk a lot about putting in hard work to grow even more as a player.

"He's still young. ... You never know what’s (going to) happen in the future, but for sure, he is a guy that tries to improve every day — going on court, (in) practice, trying to put new things (in) his game, trying to improve physically," Vagnozzi said. "He's one of the guys that can reach the top level. I mean, when we speak about top level, we think about Novak, about Roger or Rafa."

Pretty heady company.