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Arab News
20 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud's blueprint for Saudi sport
When Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Sport in 2018, she confronted a world unfamiliar with the Kingdom's pulse. 'When I first began this journey,' she said, 'I realized that many people around the world had never truly experienced our culture, our energy or our vision.' Six years and more than 135 global events later — from the electrifying debut of Formula 1 to the pioneering E1 Electric Boat Race — Al-Saud now orchestrates a marketing portfolio that has drawn more than 3 million attendees and broadcast Saudi Arabia's evolution to more than 160 countries. Her greatest triumph? Rewriting the narrative. Al-Saud told Arab News: 'We've evolved from being seen simply as a destination that hosts events, to being recognized as a forward‑thinking leader in sports.' Where skepticism once lingered, Al-Saud now projects certainty: 'Today, the most important message is that Saudi Arabia is not only open to the world, but actively shaping the global sports narrative.' This conviction permeates every campaign — whether amplifying community participation at Extreme E or embedding cultural storytelling into the WTA Finals. The most profound transformations, however, unfold in Saudi stands. 'A decade ago, it was rare to see parents, daughters and sons attending events side by side,' Al-Saud said. Now, stadiums brim with multi-generational energy. Al-Saud said: 'Girls are proudly wearing team jerseys, parents are cheering with their children and young fans are recognizing themselves in the athletes they watch.' She calls this phenomenon 'a ripple effect where sport becomes a shared cultural language' — a testament to Vision 2030's societal impact. Challenging global perceptions remains intrinsic to her work. 'We viewed every global event as a fresh opportunity to open a new window,' she said, countering stereotypes with experiential proof — be it through world-class venues or volunteers' warmth. Her creative arsenal relies on authentic storytelling: 'We flip the script by designing campaigns that don't just market a match or a race, they tell stories.' These narratives, showcasing international fans' pilgrimages or homegrown talent, serve a higher purpose: 'Our role goes far beyond ticket sales; it is about inspiring the next generation of athletes.' As chair of the Women's Sports Committee, Al-Saud wields platforms like the WTA Finals as catalysts. 'It's never been enough to simply host a women's tournament,' she added. Her strategy is inclusion at every level: 'We use these platforms to show that Saudi women are athletes, leaders, strategists and innovators.' From mentorship programs to leadership panels, the objective is unequivocal: 'Redefining roles not just on the court, but in boardrooms, production teams and strategy tables.' Amid the scale of progress, human moments anchor her. She vividly recounts the Italian Super Cup: 'Watching them, dressed in their club colors, walking through our fan zones with their children, laughing, taking photos, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.' In that instant, the mission crystallized: 'It wasn't just about the game. It was about Saudi Arabia becoming a magnet for people who love sport, wherever they come from.' For Al-Saud, those smiles are more than rewards — they are proof that sport can build bridges no statistic can measure.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski playing with new perspective since cancer diagnosis
MONTREAL - Winning still feels great for Gabriela Dabrowski, but it's not the be-all and end-all like it used to be. Ever since her battle with cancer last year, swinging a tennis racket has taken on a new meaning. 'Tennis really feels like it's not the No. 1 thing in life anymore,' Dabrowski said. 'If it was taken away from me tomorrow? Yeah, I would be sad. But if I'm healthy, then to me, that's all that really matters. 'There are bigger problems in life than winning a tennis match.' Last December, the 33-year-old doubles star from Ottawa revealed months after the fact that she had undergone two surgeries to treat breast cancer following a diagnosis in April. With only a few close friends and family aware of her fight, Dabrowski captured a mixed doubles bronze medal for Canada alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime at last summer's Paris Olympics and claimed the WTA Finals title with her longtime partner, Erin Routliffe. When she returned from her surgeries, every serve and volley felt like a bonus. 'Everything was like, 'Wow, this is such a different feel than what I've had in the past, which was like, 'Don't waste any potential you have, maximize the sport, do the best you can,'' Dabrowski said in a video interview from Ottawa, where she received the key to the city Thursday. 'Now I'm doing the best I can because I want to, not because I have to, and that was a huge shift for me. 'Even though losses hurt, they definitely don't hurt as much as before, which is nice. And wins still feel great, and being able to share them with the people around me is the best feeling, because we have been through a lot. I know I went through a lot, but they went through a lot, too.' Dabrowski and Routliffe, of New Zealand, won the 2023 US Open and reached last year's Wimbledon final. They'll be among the top seeds in the National Bank Open's women's doubles tournament, beginning Sunday in Montreal, marking the No. 8-ranked Dabrowski's first action on home soil since going public with her story. Dabrowski still manages side effects from radiation, surgery and long-term hormone therapy, but credits her medical team for keeping her in top shape with how she eats, sleeps, trains and recovers. Planning ahead to better recuperate from jet lag, which 'hits me harder than it used to,' is another adjustment she's making on the gruelling, travel-heavy circuit. This season has been especially tough because Dabrowski has struggled with a rib injury since February, an ailment that has forced her off the court more than the cancer diagnosis a year ago. She and Routliffe won the Stuttgart Open in April, but Dabrowski later withdrew from several tournaments, including the French Open in May, before returning to action in time for Wimbledon. The second-seeded pair 'did better than expected' under the circumstances, losing to eventual champions Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova in a tight quarterfinal match. 'I'm proud of my last couple of months, considering what I went through,' said Dabrowski, who said she's playing at roughly 80 per cent capacity. 'Really trying to balance the healing component with continuing to increase volume in the gym and on the court, but without doing too much to where I might impede that last sort of stage of healing. 'I feel like even though I'm probably not at my most prepared going into National Bank Open, I still have a week to get more training in the tank, and then maybe some practice matches with Erin … she'll be match fit and she can carry me. It's fine.' REUNITING WITH FELIX? Dabrowski is hoping to team up with Auger-Aliassime in the US Open mixed doubles tournament in August, although she's not certain she'll get the chance. They are among 25 teams on the entry list, though only 16 will play. Most of the top stars in tennis — including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — have also entered teams into the revamped tournament, which will take place before singles action and feature a US$1-million prize. The eight teams with the best combined singles rankings will automatically qualify, and the USTA will select the next eight duos, meaning some doubles specialists, like Dabrowski, could be shut out of the doubles event. 'That lends itself to a definition of exhibition,' Dabrowski said of the format. 'I love that they've obviously increased prize money and all that, I think that's amazing. But at the same time, if you don't have any top doubles players in that draw, I don't think that it should be called a mixed doubles championship and you should win a Grand Slam trophy winning that event.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski playing with new perspective since cancer diagnosis
MONTREAL – Winning still feels great for Gabriela Dabrowski, but it's not the be-all and end-all like it used to be. Ever since her battle with cancer last year, swinging a tennis racket has taken on a new meaning. 'Tennis really feels like it's not the No. 1 thing in life anymore,' Dabrowski said. 'If it was taken away from me tomorrow? Yeah, I would be sad. But if I'm healthy, then to me, that's all that really matters. 'There are bigger problems in life than winning a tennis match.' Last December, the 33-year-old doubles star from Ottawa revealed months after the fact that she had undergone two surgeries to treat breast cancer following a diagnosis in April. With only a few close friends and family aware of her fight, Dabrowski captured a mixed doubles bronze medal for Canada alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime at last summer's Paris Olympics and claimed the WTA Finals title with her longtime partner, Erin Routliffe. When she returned from her surgeries, every serve and volley felt like a bonus. 'Everything was like, 'Wow, this is such a different feel than what I've had in the past, which was like, 'Don't waste any potential you have, maximize the sport, do the best you can,'' Dabrowski said in a video interview from Ottawa, where she received the key to the city Thursday. 'Now I'm doing the best I can because I want to, not because I have to, and that was a huge shift for me. 'Even though losses hurt, they definitely don't hurt as much as before, which is nice. And wins still feel great, and being able to share them with the people around me is the best feeling, because we have been through a lot. I know I went through a lot, but they went through a lot, too.' Dabrowski and Routliffe, of New Zealand, won the 2023 US Open and reached last year's Wimbledon final. They'll be among the top seeds in the National Bank Open's women's doubles tournament, beginning Sunday in Montreal, marking the No. 8-ranked Dabrowski's first action on home soil since going public with her story. Dabrowski still manages side effects from radiation, surgery and long-term hormone therapy, but credits her medical team for keeping her in top shape with how she eats, sleeps, trains and recovers. Planning ahead to better recuperate from jet lag, which 'hits me harder than it used to,' is another adjustment she's making on the gruelling, travel-heavy circuit. This season has been especially tough because Dabrowski has struggled with a rib injury since February, an ailment that has forced her off the court more than the cancer diagnosis a year ago. She and Routliffe won the Stuttgart Open in April, but Dabrowski later withdrew from several tournaments, including the French Open in May, before returning to action in time for Wimbledon. The second-seeded pair 'did better than expected' under the circumstances, losing to eventual champions Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova in a tight quarterfinal match. 'I'm proud of my last couple of months, considering what I went through,' said Dabrowski, who said she's playing at roughly 80 per cent capacity. 'Really trying to balance the healing component with continuing to increase volume in the gym and on the court, but without doing too much to where I might impede that last sort of stage of healing. 'I feel like even though I'm probably not at my most prepared going into National Bank Open, I still have a week to get more training in the tank, and then maybe some practice matches with Erin … she'll be match fit and she can carry me. It's fine.' REUNITING WITH FELIX? Dabrowski is hoping to team up with Auger-Aliassime in the US Open mixed doubles tournament in August, although she's not certain she'll get the chance. They are among 25 teams on the entry list, though only 16 will play. Most of the top stars in tennis — including Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — have also entered teams into the revamped tournament, which will take place before singles action and feature a US$1-million prize. The eight teams with the best combined singles rankings will automatically qualify, and the USTA will select the next eight duos, meaning some doubles specialists, like Dabrowski, could be shut out of the doubles event. 'That lends itself to a definition of exhibition,' Dabrowski said of the format. 'I love that they've obviously increased prize money and all that, I think that's amazing. But at the same time, if you don't have any top doubles players in that draw, I don't think that it should be called a mixed doubles championship and you should win a Grand Slam trophy winning that event.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Ottawa tennis star Gabriela Dabrowski to receive Key to the City
FILE - Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski plays a shot next to New Zealand's Erin Routliffe during their women's doubles match against Taylor Townsend of the U.S. and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in the final of the WTA finals at King Saud University Indoor Arena, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo, File)
News18
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Caroline Garcia Ties The Knot With Borja Duran In Fairytale Wedding
Last Updated: The 31-year-old Frenchwoman wed her partner, Duran, a Spanish professor at the University of Barcelona on Sunday. French tennis ace Caroline Garcia, who is set to retire at the end of the 2025 season, tied the knot on Sunday with her partner, Borja Duran, a Spanish professor at the University of Barcelona. Compatriot Alize Cornet shared a clipping from the wedding ceremony as the duo who collaborate on the 'Tennis Insider Club' exchanged vows and rings. 🎊 VIVE LES MARIÉS👰♂️ Caroline Garcia a scellé son union avec Borja Duran hier Tous nos vœux de bonheur 💖 (🎥 emocionsdeblanc) — We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) July 20, 2025 Garcia, who has won 11 titles in her career, first reached the No. 4 spot in September 2018, however, following several inconsistent years filled with doubts and injuries, she took a break from tennis in March 2022 to recover from a foot injury. The pause proved beneficial as she enjoyed a successful second half of the season, winning several titles, including the WTA Finals, and reaching the semifinals at the U.S. Open. Two years ago, Garcia revealed in an interview that she struggled with bulimia for a period, triggered by losses and the pain from her lingering foot injury, which affected her daily life. Garcia, who missed the Wimbledon due to a back injury, was shown the exit door early in the French Open 2025 as she wet down to Bernarda Pera in her opening fixture at the fabled red clay of the Roland Garros. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
