The clinic, scheduled for Friday on the sidelines of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, brings together Saudi players and one of the sport’s most recognisable figures at a time when Jeddah is hosting rising stars from the men’s tour. For the Saudi Tennis Federation, the presence of homegrown athletes alongside a multiple Grand Slam champion is designed to turn the global spotlight into a tangible pathway for local talent.
Alhogbani and Bukhari, both members of the national Davis Cup setup, have been positioned as visible role models for young players attending the session. Federation officials say the clinic will blend technical drills with conversations about training discipline, competition psychology and career planning, reflecting a shift from one-off exhibitions to structured engagement with juniors and coaches.
The backdrop is a tournament created to showcase the ATP’s most promising under-21 players, a demographic the federation believes can resonate strongly with Saudi youth. Hosting the Next Gen Finals in Jeddah has allowed organisers to programme ancillary activities across schools and clubs, extending the event’s footprint beyond the arena. Officials describe the approach as part of a longer-term participation strategy rather than a standalone spectacle.
Saudi tennis has historically lagged regional sports in participation and infrastructure, but administrators point to measurable growth in club enrolments and junior registrations over the past two seasons. Investment in courts, coaching education and competition schedules has been paired with exposure to international events, with the aim of normalising tennis as a viable pursuit for boys and girls across the Kingdom.
For Alhogbani, the opportunity to work directly with Nadal is also framed as professional development. Competing regularly on the Davis Cup circuit has provided international experience, yet access to elite training environments remains limited. Sessions with top-tier professionals are viewed internally as accelerators for players who must bridge a gap in match volume and high-performance support.
Bukhari echoed that sentiment in remarks to organisers, emphasising the value of translating global best practice into the local context. He highlighted fitness benchmarks, shot selection under pressure and the importance of consistent competition as areas where aspiring Saudi players can make rapid gains when guided by experienced mentors.
The federation’s leadership has been explicit about aligning such initiatives with a broader sports agenda that prioritises participation alongside elite results. While medals and rankings remain long-term goals, officials stress that success will be judged initially by sustained grassroots growth, a deeper junior circuit and clearer pathways into regional and international competition.
Jeddah’s role as host city has been central to that vision. With established facilities and experience staging major sporting events, the city offers a platform to trial programmes that can later be replicated elsewhere. The influx of international players for the Next Gen Finals has also created opportunities for informal exchanges between visiting coaches and local practitioners, a by-product organisers say adds practical value.
Commercial elements sit alongside the development narrative. Tickets for the 2025 edition of the Next Gen ATP Finals are already on sale, signalling confidence in the event’s continuity and its appeal to domestic audiences. The federation views early ticketing as a way to anchor the tournament in the calendar and build anticipation beyond the immediate competition window.
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