Alexander Zverev is set to start his return to competitive tennis next month by playing at the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The German is one of the first players confirmed to play in the three-day event which will take place between December 8-10. It will be the second edition of the tournament which was first held in 2019. It didn’t take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers have said 12 ‘world class’ players have already signed up to play but the full list of entrants is yet to be published.
“I’m happy that I’ll finally be back on the court after my injury. It’s even nicer that I can make my comeback before the official start of the 2023 season,” Zverev said in a press release. “I think the Diriyah Tennis Cup offers a very good opportunity for it and I’m looking forward to being in Saudi Arabia for the first time.“
Zverev hasn’t played a match since suffering a horrific ankle injury during his semi-final match against Rafael Nadal at the French Open in June. He subsequently had to undergo surgery to repair damage to his ligaments and is continuing his rehab process. There was speculation that he could play in the Davis Cup finals but the German Tennis Federation has since said in a statement that he is not ready to play.
Another player travelling to Saudi Arabia will be world No.4 Daniil Medvedev who won the inaugural tournament three years ago after defeating Italy’s Fabio Fognini in straight sets.
“When I have been in Diriyah in 2019, I loved everything there,” he said. “The organization, the court, the fans, the people. Everything was super comfortable, so I’m really happy to have the opportunity to come back to Saudi Arabia in December. It would be awesome, if I defend my title. As the tournament offers great conditions for my next season preparation”
Medvedev, who won his first Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open, has previously spoken in favour of Saudi Arabia hosting a Tour event in the future. Something which has been opposed by others who have raised concerns over the country’s human rights record and their use of sportswashing. A process where a government uses the staging of sports events to improve its reputation and distract from their human rights abuses.
Andy Murray has previously said he turned down an offer to play an exhibition event in the country a few years ago due to these concerns, along with other top players. The comment followed a report earlier this year that Saudi Arabia has expressed an interest in hosting a WTA event but no further information has been brought to the limelight since then.
A total of $3M in prize money will be available at the event which will also include a doubles draw for the first time. The first day will feature both first round and quarter-final matches. Whoever loses those matches will then take part in a doubles event on the second day along with the singles semi-finals. Then on the final day, both singles and doubles finals will take place.
It is not known when the full field for the Diriyah Tennis Cup will be published.
