Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old tennis star Spaniard is the up-and-coming GOAT in the making. The next-gen tennis star is here to stay, with one grand slam already under his name, Alcaraz is a very promising player. Alcaraz who is constantly dubbed the ‘Next Nadal’ is also a very honest player as he is known to come into the spotlight quite often.
This honesty is what brought the current world no. 1 into the spotlight yet again. Speaking after clinching the top seed spot from Djokovic again by defeating Alex de Minaur at the Queen’s Club final.
When asked about the future of Tennis in Middle Eastern countries, after the positive outcome of the recent talks between ATP and PIF about Saudi Arabia’s potential investments in the sport on projects that include hosting tournaments, infrastructure, etc.
The Spaniard had a quite confident and positive reaction to the news and said, “I mean, they have the power to have a lot of tournaments. I have never played a tournament, an official one. But, let’s see how it is gonna be. I have no doubts that I will play over there in the future.”
Saudi Arabia’s newfound interest in bringing professional sports to the nation
The sovereign nation has recently shown a great deal of engagement in the world of professional sports. It has started investing and engaging in various sports like soccer, Formula 1, eSports, etc. to now tennis as well. Saudi Arabia has become one of the hot topics in the world of international sports with its recent involvement.
The nation recently bought the football team New Castle United. With big-shot players of the sport like Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema, etc. who turned down offers from well-established clubs to join Saudi Arabia, the Middle Eastern country has come into the spotlight.
Hosting events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Boxing, Snooker, and more. The PIF is often accused of ‘Sportswashing’ the nation. Fans and activists worldwide are pointing fingers at the nation because of its allegedly questionable and controversial human rights record. They are demanding the country to first ‘clean up their image’ and then host these lavish and expensive sports events.
#PIF, @PGATOUR and @DPWorldTour today announced a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf globally.
H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of #PIF, commenting on the announcement
Learn more: https://t.co/rplh54pl5i pic.twitter.com/pyYAKyvFN1
— Public Investment Fund (@PIF_en) June 6, 2023
With its sights set on various sports, the nation is also hoping to host the Olympics in 2030. The nation is looking at different investments to solidify and diversify its economy. With a raging debate on the ongoing matter of ‘Sportswashing’ done by Saudi Arabia, it has heavily influenced the Global Sports world today and taken it by storm.
What is Carlos Alcaraz’s form now after the Queen’s Championship win?
As Alcaraz entered the Queen’s Club Championship, things were not looking so great for the Spaniard as it looked like he was on the verge of toppling until he won the final. While snatching the World No. 1 spot again from Djokovic, it seems like a warning to the Serbian player of the fresh and good form Alcaraz is in right now.
Alcaraz also admitted “It helps a lot to come into Wimbledon as number one, the top seed. It’s amazing but once again it wouldn’t be possible without the support of all the people throughout the whole week”
The Queen’s Championship, which is a prestigious grass court tournament held in London, acted as a warm-up of sorts for Alcaraz, who is looking forward to playing at Wimbledon. Alcaraz, who is looking great in his current form, is in high spirits for the upcoming grass-court grand slam.