Saudi Arabia has already invested heavily in several sports. Now, the nation plans to make headway into ladies’s tennis and host the 2024 WTA Finals — if a deal can be reached.
“As everyone knows, we are working through a process to select a host venue for the WTA Finals,” the WTA mentioned in an announcement to The Athletic. “There has been no final decision and we will continue to engage with players through the ongoing process.”
The talks between tour government Steve Simon and Saudi officers have reportedly been ongoing — a deal was almost struck final summer season, however axed on account of public strain — however an official who spoke on the situation of anonymity advised The Athletic that the potential association is “the worst kept secret in the sport.”
Saudi Arabia has been seeking to purchase a high match because the center of final 12 months, in accordance with The Athletic. The nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Nevertheless, a possible roadblock in securing a take care of the WTA is Saudi Arabia’s historical past concerning human rights.
The Center Japanese nation doesn’t grant equal rights to its feminine residents. As a substitute, Saudi Arabia has what known as a male guardianship system, the place a person will see over a lady’s life from delivery to dying, amongst different inequities that don’t permit ladies to be handled pretty at work, in relationships, or by the federal government.
“I definitely don’t support the situation there,” the U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff mentioned on the Australian Open, “but if we do decide to go there, I hope that we’re able to make change and improve the quality and engage in the local communities and make a difference.”
“We fully appreciate the importance of respecting diverse cultures and religions,” Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova wrote in a Washington Post essay. “It is because of this, and not despite it, that we oppose the awarding of the tour’s crown jewel tournament to Riyadh. The WTA’s values sit in stark contrast to those of the proposed host.”
Billie Jean King, nonetheless, helps holding the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, “arguing that engagement with the government there is the best way to bring about change,” in accordance with The Athletic.
On the boys’s facet of the game, Rafael Nadal is about to turn out to be an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s tennis federation, and Novak Djokovic is in favor of additional Saudi funding into the game, per The Athletic.
