What's behind West Asia's multibillion push to attract global sports stars?

There's little doubt that the Gulf nations' strategic investments in sports has bolstered their economies and provided a fillip to tourism. But there is another side to it

Coco Gauff’s moment of glory was hard-earned. She had to fight numerous battles: Indifferent form, inner demons, Riyadh’s sweltering heat and a rampaging opponent in China’s Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen.

 

The 20-year-old American displayed guts, gumption, and mental fortitude to come from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set to clinch the WTA Finals trophy a fortnight ago.

 

The triumph was a cataclysmic moment in tennis. Gauff walked home with an eye-popping $4.8 million in prize money — the largest sum awarded in women’s sports and the highest earned by any tennis player, male or female, at a