Qiddiya city National Tennis Centre community integration core

Image: Populous

A world-class tennis center in Qiddiya city (Saudi Arabia) will provide for elite international competition, Saudi Arabian player development and community participation thus establishing the Kingdom as a global sports and tennis destination and reflecting the city’s philosophy of the ‘Power of Play’.

‘POPULOUS’ stated that the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the National Tennis Centre – a world-class sports and entertainment landmark – that will position Saudi Arabia as a future hub for international tennis, elite development, local grass roots participation, and year-round community play.
 

National Tennis Centre

Designed by Populous as the Lead Architect, the Lead Interior Designer and the Lead Masterplanner and located in Qiddiya City – Saudi Arabia’s capital of entertainment, sport and culture – the National Tennis Centre will be the region’s largest tennis center and will host some of the world’s most prestigious events. Construction is already well underway at the National Tennis Centre.

‘POPULOUS’ further stated that the National Tennis Centre is an important step forward in Qiddiya City’s ambition to become a global destination for entertainment, sport and culture thus creating a new home for tennis in Saudi Arabia while inspiring the future generations through the ‘Power of Play’. This philosophy is shaping a new city that offers the residents, the visitors and the businesses limitless opportunities to imagine, to grow, to escape, and to thrive in a contemporary and sustainable urban ecosystem built to improve the quality of life.

Image: Populous

As the region’s largest tennis center the National Tennis Centre features 30 courts – 28 hard courts and two clay courts – integrated into the dramatic landscape of Qiddiya City, 45 km West of Riyadh, with layered green façades woven into the surrounding Tuwaiq Mountains.

It combines world-class competition infrastructure with elite training and wellness facilities, a vibrant public realm and two multipurpose arenas with retractable roofs for climate control which can host concerts and major events beyond tennis.

Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in the sports facilities, the arenas and the convention centers as well as in the planning and design of the major special events.
 

Community Integration

Stated Shireen Hamdan, Global Director at Populous and General Manager (GM) of Populous KSA, “The National Tennis Centre at the Qiddiya City will become a major new destination for the elite tournament tennis not just in Saudi Arabia but across the wider region and indeed globally thus ranking without doubt among the finest facilities in the world. Its approach to community integration is unique – at no other elite sports facility whether for tennis or any other sport do you see such a seamless integration of the community and the elite sporting facilities. It will serve not only this generation of Saudis but many generations to come.”

Image: Populous

 

Developing Tennis

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, affirmed that the launch of the National Tennis Centre reflects the support and attention the sports sector receives from the leadership. HRH also stressed that the center represents an important pillar in developing tennis in the Kingdom, a sport that enjoys wide popularity among both the participants and the fans.
 

‘Power of Play’

Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director, Qiddiya Investment Company said, “At Qiddiya City we believe in the ‘Power of Play’, the idea that play, in all its forms, has the ability to transform lives, build communities and inspire generations. The National Tennis Centre demonstrates this philosophy. We are building a world-class home for tennis at every level where the world’s best players can compete, the next generation of Saudi talent can reach their potential and the families and the communities across Saudi Arabia can experience this great sport.”
 

‘Transformative Investment’

Remarked Ross Hutchins, International Tennis Federation (ITF) head honcho, “The National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City is precisely the kind of transformative investment that the ITF has long championed as essential to the sustainable growth of our sport around the world. The quality facilities are the cornerstone of every successful national tennis program – they create pathways for the players, empower the coaches and provide opportunities for the people who might otherwise never pick up a racket. We look forward to seeing Qiddiya City working alongside the Saudi Tennis Federation to grow the game in Saudi Arabia.”

Image: Populous

 

‘Positive Step’

Maintained Mohammed Al Sarrah, President, Saudi Tennis Federation, “The Saudi Tennis Federation welcomes the launch of the National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City which represents an important addition to the Kingdom’s sporting infrastructure and a positive step for the continued growth of tennis in Saudi Arabia. The federation hopes that the centre will contribute to increasing participation in the sport thus supporting the development of local talent and inspiring the next generation of Saudi tennis players.”
 

Elite Development and Community Access

• High-Performance Training Centre: The High-Performance Training Centre will develop Saudi tennis talent at the highest level. It features a state-of-the-art gym, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suites, athlete recovery and wellness spaces, players’ lounges, dedicated changing facilities, and an integrated Media Centre with press conference and interview rooms;
• Community Tennis and Public Realm: The National Tennis Centre is a year-round destination for the Saudi public. The community tennis programs, open public spaces, activated fan zones, a fan plaza, and cultural activations will make the venue an active part of Qiddiya city’s daily life; and
• Multipurpose Venue: Beyond Tennis: The Centre Court and the 8,000-seat arena, which both feature retractable roofs, can host major concerts, e-sports, the other sports events, and cultural programming. It reflects Qiddiya City’s strategy of offering communities year-round sport, entertainment and culture.

 
Continue following Coliseum for the latest updates on sports venues, stadiums and arena business news worldwide.

Coliseum is dedicated to building a global community of sports and entertainment venue professionals helping create better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and industry experts from around the world. Apply for membership through the Global Sports Venue Alliance and access the 365Coliseum Business platform.

• Tags »
• Populous
• Qiddiya
• Saudi Arabia
• tennis center

« Previous News: Newcastle Utd acquires Leazes Terrace building near stadium
» Next News: Luigi Ferraris Stadium total restyling for EURO 2032