Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic make the cut on ATP “role models” for Saudi tennis icon Yara Alhogbani while Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin stand as WTA inspirations

The 19-year-old also aims to build a tennis community in the country.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic make the cut on ATP “role models” for Saudi tennis icon Yara Alhogbani while Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin stand as WTA inspirations

Yara Alhogbani, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (Images via Saudi Arabia, The Guardian)

Saudi tennis star Yara Alhogbani is setting examples with every stride she takes in her career. The 19-year-old might have already become an inspiration for many in her country, where tennis is still finding its feet. 

Despite crashing out of the Abu Dhabi qualifiers after a defeat at the hands of Sara Sorribes Tormo, Alhogbani is a living example of how to make a name for herself with so many constraints around.

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While Alhogbani is inspiring budding women athletes in her country, the 19-year-old also has a few big names whom she looks up to and draws inspiration from.

When the Saudi star was asked about who she idolized on the tour, she obviously had Ons Jabeur‘s name. Apart from that, Alhogbani also talked about drawing inspiration from Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, and Sofia Kenin.

The 19-year-old said that she cannot get enough of Osaka. Meanwhile, Yara Alhogbani loves the way Rafael Nadal carries himself on and off the court. 

I think I saw her (Naomi Osaka) this morning at breakfast, and I was just like, ‘Oh my God,’ like I couldn’t even finish my breakfast. I literally love her so much. I also like watching Sofia Kenin. And I just watched her walk by. This is definitely like a dream come true for me. On the men’s tour, I definitely like Rafa. I think he is a good role model on and off the court. Also Djokovic. These players are really good to look up to.
Yara Alhogbani said.

Yara Alhogbani wants a tennis community in Saudi Arabia

Yara Alhogbani also talked about her future aspirations. The 19-year-old talked about her goals on and off the court. While Alhogbani aspires to become the top-ranked player in the world, she wants to build a tennis community in Saudi Arabia.

Yara-Alhogbani
Yara Alhogbani (Image via Grazia)

Alhogbani is happy with the progress being made in her country, as she mentions Rafael Nadal signing up as the brand ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation and setting up an academy. But she wants more such academies spread across the country. Alhogbani also talked about the benefits of a tennis community.

But off the court, I want to have more of a tennis community all over Saudi, not just where people have to travel from different cities to come to maybe the capital to get that. You know, Rafa (Nadal) is having an academy. It’d be nice if we had academies all throughout Saudi, had a tennis community. And it’s different to have an academy and to have a community. In a tennis community, you push each other, you help each other, you learn a lot.
Yara Alhogbani said to Arab News.

Notably, Yara Alhogbani is slowly climbing the ladder. In the junior circuit, Alhogbani won one singles title and two in doubles before she moved to the professional tour. It is to be seen how long before she plays her first tour-level match.

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