Saudi Arabia Set To Host First International Tennis Tournament

Saudi Arabia will host its first ever international tennis tournament between December 12-14, 2019. The Diriyah Tennis Cup will be played at the 15,000-seat Diriyah Arena on the outskirts of Riyadh.The 2019 tournament will have a total prize money of $3 million.

The Diriyah Tennis Cup is not a formal ATP tournament.  So there will no ranking points for the participating players. The tournament has already signed up Stanislas Wawrinka, Daniil Medvedev, Fabio Fognini, John Isner, Lucas Pouille, and David Goffin for this year’s event.  Two additional players for the tournament will be announced later

The tournament is a part Saudi Arabia’s Ad Diriyah Season which will also feature a Formula E race, a heavyweight boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. and a Diriyah Equestrian Festival.

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Once A Ball Boy, Federer Wins 10th Title In Basel

Roger Federer won his 10th title at the Swiss Indoors in Basel, his hometown on Sunday easily beating Alex de Minaur, 6-2, 6-2. Federer also has 10 titles at the grass court tournament in Halle.

It was Federer’s 103rd career title. Jimmy Connors is the only player that has more titles, at 109. Federer earned €430,125 for winning the title.

Federer was magnificent all week.  He did not lose a set in his 4 matches. 

Federer beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-4 in the semi final.  The much anticipated match with fellow Swiss player Stan Wawrinka was canceled as Wawrinka pulled out with an injury. The draw looks ominous for Federer at the beginning of the week but it all worked out great in the end for the Swiss. 

Continuing the tradition, Federer served pizza for the ball kids and spent time with them.  He was once a ball boy himself at the tournament. 

Here’s Federer as a ball kid in Basel years ago. 

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