Top Tennis insider points out ‘huge controversy’ about Saudi Arabia’s hosting of NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah after ‘iconic’ Six Kings Slam event

Top Journalist Ben Rothenberg shares mind-blowing revelation about Saudi Arabia hosting the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals.


Top Tennis insider points out ‘huge controversy’ about Saudi Arabia’s hosting of NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah after ‘iconic’ Six Kings Slam event

Next Gen ATP Finals court (via Perfect Tennis)

The Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia came under criticism by several tennis players and legends. Recently, Andy Roddick slammed the event for paying humongous prize money to players at the event. However, this time around, another mind-blowing revelation about a tennis tournament held in the country has been revealed by a top journalist.

The event in question was the 2023 Next Gen ATP Finals, which was held in Saudi Arabia. The event is an annual exhibition tournament for male players 20 and under. The tournament was previously held in Milan for five years after the ATP and Federation of Italian Tennis (FIT) had agreed to host the event.

YouTube video

Last year, the men’s tennis governing body agreed with Saudi Arabia to host the event in Jeddah. According to Ben Rothenberg, the Next Gen ATP Finals which was played in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City complex, was empty of fans. But, surprisingly on the fifth day, December 2, it was a nearly-full arena.

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After an investigation by Rothenberg, it was revealed that the drastic change in attendance was that the people in the stands were paid to attend. A Whatsapp group was created for 700 local laborers, who were given a work proposition. They were going to be paid 100 Saudi riyals (about US $27) for four hours of attendance at the ATP Finals match.

During the final, for the first time in the event, cameras were panned to the stands which was always dark, but had a red light that day. The attendees did their bidding and took the money home. Nonetheless, the ATP said that they were not aware of any money being paid to attend the event.

2024 Next Gen ATP Finals: Who have qualified?

This year has been positive in terms of the emergence of talents in the ATP destined to break into the elite of men’s tennis. The Top seven players under 21 years old are going to compete at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from December 18 to 22. However, the eighth spot in the tournament is reserved for a player from the region.

Next Gen Live rankings (via Puntodebreak)

Arthur Fils makes the Top of the list having won two ATP titles this year. The 20-year-old has shown his quality on the court and currently sits in the Top 30 of the ATP rankings. He is followed by American Alex Michelsen, who reached the final of the Winston-Salem Open in August.

Juncheng Shang and Jakub Mensik come in third and fourth positions. French player Luca Van Assche, Learner Tien, and Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca complete the Top 7. Nevertheless, Spain’s Martin Landaluce might upset Fonseca in the race, as it’s just only 24 points separating both players.

Last year’s champion, Hamad Medjedovic, is not on the list this season, having struggled with injuries and form. The Serbian is yet to win an ATP Challenger title this season despite reaching two finals.