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.



Emery Has Arsenal Score to Settle with Surging Aston Villa

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery reacts to his team's equalizer during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa, in London, Britain, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery reacts to his team's equalizer during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa, in London, Britain, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
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Emery Has Arsenal Score to Settle with Surging Aston Villa

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery reacts to his team's equalizer during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa, in London, Britain, 27 December 2025. (EPA)
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery reacts to his team's equalizer during the English Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa, in London, Britain, 27 December 2025. (EPA)

Unai Emery returns to the scene of one of his few managerial failures on Tuesday, aiming to land a huge blow to former club Arsenal's ambitions of a first Premier League title for 22 years.

Dismissed by the Gunners in 2019 just over a year after succeeding Arsene Wenger, Emery's second spell in English football has been a very different story.

The Spaniard has awoken a sleeping giant in Villa, transforming the Birmingham-based club from battling relegation to contending for their first league title since 1981.

An impressive 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday extended Villa's winning run in all competitions to 11 -- their longest streak of victories since 1914.

That form has taken Emery's men to within three points of Arsenal at the top of the table despite failing to win any of their opening six matches of the season.

"We are competing very well. We are third in the league behind Arsenal and Manchester City. Wow," said Emery after he masterminded a second half turnaround at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Villa were outclassed by the Blues and trailing 1-0 until a triple substitution on the hour mark changed the game.

Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score twice and hailed his manager's change of system as "tactical genius" afterwards.

Few believe Villa will still be able to last the course against the far greater riches and squad depth of Arsenal and City over the course of 20 more games.

But a title challenge is just the next step on an upward trajectory since Emery took charge just over three years ago.

After a 13-year absence from Europe, including a three-year spell in the second-tier Championship, the Villains have qualified for continental competition for the past three seasons.

Paris Saint-Germain were on the ropes at Villa Park in April but escaped to win a thrilling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate before going on to win the competition for the first time.

Arsenal also left Birmingham beaten earlier this month, their only defeat in their last 24 games in all competitions.

However, Emery getting the upper hand over his former employers is a common occurrence.

The 54-year-old has lost just twice in 10 meetings against Arsenal during spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Villarreal and Villa, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates in April 2024 that ultimately cost Mikel Arteta's men the title.

Even Emery's ill-fated 18 months in north London were far from disastrous with the benefit of hindsight.

He inherited a club in decline during Wenger's final years but only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in his sole full season in charge and reached the Europa League final.

Arsenal's loss has been to Villa's advantage.

For now Arsenal remain the outsiders in a three-horse race but inflicting another bloody nose to the title favorites will silence any doubters that Emery's men are serious contenders.


Ronaldo Confident of Reaching 1,000 Goals, Keen to Keep Playing

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Okhdood - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Okhdood - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review. (Reuters)
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Ronaldo Confident of Reaching 1,000 Goals, Keen to Keep Playing

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Okhdood - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Nassr v Al-Okhdood - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review. (Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo said his passion for the game remains undimmed and that he ​is still motivated to reach his target of 1,000 career goals after the Portuguese forward was named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai ‌on Sunday.

Ronaldo's double for ‌Saudi ⁠side ​Al-Nassr ‌on Saturday took his tally to 956 goals for club and country, and with the 40-year-old set to play on for "one or two more years" his ⁠target looks achievable.

"It’s hard to continue ‌playing, but I am ‍motivated,” he ‍said after receiving the award ‍for the second consecutive year.

"My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where ​I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. ⁠I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

"You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number (1,000 goals) that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, ‌if no injuries."


Wawrinka ‘at Peace’ with Retirement but No Plans to Go Quietly

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka serves to Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley during their men's singles match on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2025. (AFP)
Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka serves to Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley during their men's singles match on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2025. (AFP)
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Wawrinka ‘at Peace’ with Retirement but No Plans to Go Quietly

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka serves to Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley during their men's singles match on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2025. (AFP)
Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka serves to Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley during their men's singles match on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 26, 2025. (AFP)

Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka said Monday he was "at peace" with his decision to make 2026 his last year on tour but insisted there were still goals to meet.

The 40-year-old announced this month that he plans to call it quits, with the United Cup in Perth starting Friday the beginning of the end for the popular Swiss star.

"Of course, I'm still passionate about the game, about the sport I love," he said.

"What I received from it, the emotion playing in a different country, coming back here with a lot of fans, a lot of support, so I'm going to miss that part, that's for sure," he said.

"The last few months, I've had time to decide whether it will be my last year or not, and for me, it's quite clear. I'm happy with the decision, I'm at peace with that."

Wawrinka won the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open a year later and the US Open in 2016, at a time when Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were dominating men's tennis.

A former world number three, he is now ranked 157 after struggling with injuries but said he would work as hard as ever this season.

"I still want to play some good tennis, I still have goals. Hopefully I can come back in the top 100, finish on a good ranking," he said.

"I want to play the full year, the big tournaments, the main ones, and let's see my ranking in the next few months."

Wawrinka has 16 career ATP titles although the last came in Geneva in 2017.

He won Olympic gold in doubles alongside Federer at Beijing in 2008 and helped deliver a first Davis Cup triumph for Switzerland in 2014.

Wawrinka leads a Swiss team also boasting world number 11 Belinda Bencic at the mixed-teams United Cup where they are grouped with France and Italy.