Soccer royalty was on hand to watch tennis royalty on the first day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, as Brazilian soccer legend Neymar performed the ceremonial coin toss ahead of the singles match between Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old, currently playing for the Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, has been taking in his fair share of tennis in recent weeks, as he was also on hand to support Carlos Alcaraz during the Spaniard’s campaign at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, even joining him on-court to his autographed tennis balls into the crowd.
When he arrived on court on Saturday to a rousing cheer from the fans in the arena, chair umpire Zhang Juan humorously introduced Brazil’s all-time leading scorer to the players with a quip— “This is Neymar”—and the Chinese official could later be overheard on the on-court microphones explaining exactly what his role would be in the pre-match pleasantries.
But his presence was also noted Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen, who played in the day’s first singles match. Sabalenka, who beat Zheng for a fifth time in five career meetings, received an autographed shirt as a souvenir, while Zheng’s pre-match routine was momentarily derailed when her coaches were star-struck.
My team, all of my team, they had a picture with him,” Zheng said. “I was there with my fitness coach, doing some fitness, and I was there with my exercise like this, and I see, ‘Where is my team?’ Ah, OK, they’re having pictures with Neymar! What I can say?
“He’s a incredible soccer player, yeah. But I think my team more interesting to [see] him instead of watching me … do fitness.”
About The Author
