Saudi Arabia will host the Women’s Tennis Association finals the subsequent three years, starting this fall underneath an settlement with the Saudi Tennis Federation that may supply report prize cash, the WTA introduced Thursday.
The season-ending championship shall be held in Riyadh from Nov. 2-9 and can supply members a report $15.25 million in prize cash, a 70% improve from the earlier yr. Based on the phrases of the settlement, the prize cash is predicted to extend in 2025 and once more in 2026.
The WTA brand on the web through the Prime Seed Open on the Prime Seed Tennis Membership Aug. 10, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (Dylan Buell/Getty Pictures)
“Bringing the WTA Finals to Riyadh is an thrilling new alternative for us and a constructive step for the long-term progress of women’s tennis as a worldwide and inclusive sport,” WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon mentioned in a press release.
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“We’ve been impressed by the commitment shown by the Saudi Tennis Federation to grow the sport at all levels, and we have no doubt that players and fans can look forward to a world-class event in Riyadh as the finale to the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons.”
The information comes amid concern over Saudi Arabia’s human rights report, particularly over girls’s rights and the LGBTQ group.
Simon informed The Related Press in an interview that he spoke to tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova after the pair voiced their opposition to the partnership in an op-ed for The Washington Publish earlier this yr.
Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert discuss to the media throughout a press convention on the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023, a part of the Hologic WTA Tour, Nov. 2, 2023, in Cancun, Mexico (Robert Prange/Getty Pictures)
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“We’ve met with Chris and Martina and listened to their concerns, and we have shared their concerns through our stakeholders as well, without prejudice. We’ve also shared the concerns around women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights within the Kingdom of Saudi,” Simon mentioned. “Our focus is on how we develop women’s tennis for the benefit of everybody involved in the game.
“The truth of it’s … we’re really a worldwide tour, a worldwide enterprise. We now have gamers from over 90 nations now. We now have over 90 occasions. … We take part in lots of nations which have totally different cultures and values programs throughout the board.”
Simon added that players will “make their very own decisions” when it comes to participating in the WTA Finals but said he believes qualifiers are “going to wish to play.”
Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates after winning against Jessica Pegula of the U.S. during the final of the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, Nov. 6, 2023, in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The WTA Finals will feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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