Newport Tennis Hall of Fame Loses ATP Tournament, Saudi Money Driving Change

Wednesday, November 08, 2023

GoLocalProv Business Team

 

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PHOTO: Tennis Hall of Fame

Newport is getting hit with a big blow. It is losing its ATP 250 tournament at the Hall of Fame.

The final year for the Hall of Fame Open will take place in Newport as scheduled from July 14-21, 2024.

Newport lost the event due to changes in investments from other global powers. In August, tennis podcast host Craig Shapiro announced that sources have told him the WTA Finals will be moved to Saudi Arabia and that ATP Newport would lose its tournament.

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Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund that has invested heavily in numerous professional sports, including soccer, golf, Formula One, boxing, and cricket, is now moving into tennis.

This summer John McEnroe warned about the potential growing influence of Saudi money on the sport. McEnroe said tennis does not need Saudi Arabia: “I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think our sport needs it. I don’t think it would benefit from it, and I don’t think we should do it. But as Chris Evert said, it’s not up to us. Someone else is going to make that decision. They’re talking about Next Gen Finals going there. This is just something that I don’t understand why we’re going in that direction.”

The Tennis Hall of Fame is now scrambling to replace the ATP tour event.

“The ITHF is also in the process of reimagining professional tennis in Newport with the expectation that beginning in 2025 a new era of pro tennis on the historic courts will begin,” said the Hall of Fame in a statement.

“World-class tennis has been part of the fabric of Newport for nearly 150 years and will continue to have an ongoing presence at the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” said ITHF CEO Dan Faber. “The ITHF is actively exploring the opportunities to host new professional tennis events in Newport. In addition, we will continue to strengthen our digital programming, museum and visitor experience, worldwide presence, and presentation of the Ultimate Honor in Tennis – induction into the Hall of Fame.”

Discover Newport's CEO Evan Smith said, "The world of sports is constantly changing and Tennis is no exception. I  have mixed emotions about today's announcement. From a nostalgic standpoint, we will certainly miss the ATP tour stop in Newport, so many great memories. On the other hand, we’re excited to learn more about new tennis events coming to Newport."

“As professional tennis in Newport enters a new chapter in 2025, the ATP looks forward to continuing to work with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, one of our sport’s most historic venues, in the years ahead,” said Eric Starelli, Executive Vice President, ATP Americas.

 

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