Local star Ali Alkhadrawi is ready to capitalise on his ticket to Saudi Smash 2024, with the wildcards now out for the blockbuster event set to get underway early next month in Jeddah.
Alkhadrawi will be making his WTT Grand Smash debut after picking up a Host Wildcard to the main draw of the Men’s Singles. Stepping out to the table at the highest level of the WTT Series will be a huge milestone for the 26-year-old, who competed in his first international event way back in 2007 on the youth stage.
With 14 WTT appearances under his belt, Alkhadrawi will be chasing a breakout performance on his home turf when he heads in to the arena at King Abdullah Sports City. But on top of his own ambitions, the local hero will be looking to help turn the spotlight on table tennis, and create a new legacy for the sport within the region.
“I am absolutely thrilled to compete in Saudi Smash, the first of its kind right here in Jeddah. It’s a tremendous honour to match skills with some of the world’s top table tennis talents on home soil. We’re all buzzing with excitement, and I hope this event spotlights our legendary Saudi hospitality and culture. This is an incredible moment is for our sporting community.” Ali Alkhadrawi
Alongside his Men’s Singles wildcard, Alkhadrwawi also has received a ticket to the main draw of the doubles events. In the Mixed Doubles the Saudi athlete will be teaming up with with one of the biggest rising stars of the global scene; Egypt’s Hana Goda.
While just 16 years old, it will be Goda that brings the experience to the table in the pairing. The World No.30 will be making her third WTT Grand Smash in Jeddah and having made the round of 16 in the Mixed Doubles at Singapore Smash 2023, will be eyeing a deep run with fans at her and Alkhadrwawi’s back next month.
As the local wildcards take to the table alongside the world’s top players, Saudi Smash is primed to help inspire a new generation of table tennis enthusiasts and drive the growth of the sport within the Kingdom. The event is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to promote sports excellence and healthy living among citizens, while showcasing the Kingdom’s capabilities as a host for major international events. By bringing world-class table tennis to the Kingdom, Saudi Smash supports this vision and helps to further establish Saudi Arabia as a hub for sports and entertainment.
Set to be staged from 4-11 May 2024, Saudi Smash features 64-player singles and 24-pair doubles main draws, with the biggest stars of the sport competing for a record-setting prize pool of USD 2,000,000. The Men’s and Women’s Singles champions will each take home USD 65,000 and 2,000 ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings Points, capping off an unforgettable celebration of table tennis action in the Kingdom.
Visit SaudiSmash.com for the full player lineup, news, schedule and more updates.
Credit: WTT