Saudi Arabia Poised for Dakar Rally 2025 Launching on January 3

 The rally will run from January 3 to 17th  (File Photo via Dakar Rally)
The rally will run from January 3 to 17th (File Photo via Dakar Rally)
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Saudi Arabia Poised for Dakar Rally 2025 Launching on January 3

 The rally will run from January 3 to 17th  (File Photo via Dakar Rally)
The rally will run from January 3 to 17th (File Photo via Dakar Rally)

In just nine days, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will kick off the 2025 edition of the world-famous Dakar Rally, marking the sixth consecutive year the Kingdom hosts this prestigious event.
The rally, which runs from January 3 to 17th, is organized by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and the Saudi Motorsport Company, with oversight from the Ministry of Sport, SPA reported.
This year, the adrenaline-fueled rally will start in Bisha, in the south of the Kingdom, and travel from south to north before heading east to the final destination in Shubaytah, located in the Empty Quarter—the largest continuous sand desert in the world.

Over 14 thrilling days, competitors will navigate various terrains, giving them the opportunity to explore stunning natural landscapes and ancient archaeological sites along the way.



Tsitsipas Hoping to ‘Reinvent’ Himself in Search for Stability

This handout photo released by Tennis Australia on December 27, 2024, shows Greece's team member Stefanos Tsitsipas attending a press conference at the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth. (Tennis Australia / AFP)
This handout photo released by Tennis Australia on December 27, 2024, shows Greece's team member Stefanos Tsitsipas attending a press conference at the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth. (Tennis Australia / AFP)
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Tsitsipas Hoping to ‘Reinvent’ Himself in Search for Stability

This handout photo released by Tennis Australia on December 27, 2024, shows Greece's team member Stefanos Tsitsipas attending a press conference at the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth. (Tennis Australia / AFP)
This handout photo released by Tennis Australia on December 27, 2024, shows Greece's team member Stefanos Tsitsipas attending a press conference at the United Cup tennis tournament in Perth. (Tennis Australia / AFP)

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Friday he needs to break out of a rut and start afresh in 2025 after winning just one title in the previous campaign and dropping out of the world's top 10.

The Greek world number 11, who claimed his only win at the Monte Carlo Masters, has also ended his collaboration with his father Apostolos as his coach.

"I'm looking at kind of reinventing myself," said Tsitsipas, who begins his season at the Dec. 27-Jan. 5 United Cup mixed team event.

"I felt like I've been stuck in a pattern over the last few months. I haven't been able to kind of unlock the pattern.

"I'm looking for a fresh, new 2025. That doesn't mean to suddenly just start winning everything.

"It's just to see a trajectory of constant improvement and improving in all fields in my career, but also in my outside life ... I want to have stability in my life," he told reporters.

Tsitsipas is starting the year outside the top 10 for the first time since 2019 and he hoped that would take some of the pressure off him.

"I don't think there's that much pressure when you're outside of the top 10. Well, probably there is some pressure in terms of like now it's my opportunity to add on points and get some good weeks going," he said.

The United Cup will serve as part of Tsitsipas' preparations for the Australian Open, where the 26-year-old reached the final in 2023.