Proud of the WTA Finals moving to Saudi Arabia

Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, April 28, 2024

Tunisian pioneer Ons Jabeur proud The WTA Finals will move to Saudi Arabia.

The two-time Wimbledon finalist addressed critics of the move with a simple message: look at Saudi Arabia for yourself before jumping to conclusions.

More: The WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“To be honest, I'm always biased towards this position here and the decision they made. I'm very happy to be there,” Jabeur told media in Madrid when asked about her reaction to the move. “As an Arab woman, I am very proud that something is happening in Saudi Arabia.

“Obviously people may have different opinions. What worries me is that some people don't know what's really going on there and are completely ignorant of what's really going on in Saudi Arabia.

“So, as Princess Reema said: you should come to Saudi Arabia, stay there and judge yourself.”

The 2024 WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh from November 2-9, featuring the top 8 singles and doubles players in the race to the WTA Finals.

The agreement with the Saudi Tennis Federation includes a record $15.25 million in prize money at the WTA Finals in 2024, with further increases in 2025 and 2026. This is an important injection of money given the financial losses the Tour has suffered since leaving China. Peng Shuai's allegations of sexual assault against a senior Chinese government official.

Madrid 2022 Champion Jabeur, Hall of Famer Billie Jean King And Jessica Pegula hI was one of the prominent advocates for the WTA to move its tournament to Saudi Arabia.

Tennis with Saudi dollars makes no sense Daria Kasatkina, Martina Navratilova And Chrissie Evert who openly opposed tennis' growing partnership with Saudi Arabia. Critics called the move “crazy” given the Kingdom's attitude towards women runs counter to the Tour's mission statement of women's empowerment.

Kasatkina said money makes the difference, but she disagrees with the message tennis would send by taking Saudi dollars, given the Kingdom's history of human rights abuses. Kasatkina, who is gay, said Saudi Arabia's record on women's rights and LGBT rights makes it “difficult” for tennis, especially women's tennis, to accept the country's financial support.

Same-sex relationships for both men and women are illegal in Saudi Arabia.

“There are many questions concerning this country. Honestly, it’s hard to talk about it,” Kasatkina said at Wimbledon 2023. “It’s easier for men because they feel, let’s say, pretty good there. We don't feel the same.

“Therefore, in our world now there will be, let’s say, conversations about money. I don't think everything is about money. Unfortunately, not everything depends only on us, and in particular on me, for example. Unfortunately, it’s in the hands of bigger people.”

Hall of Famer Navratilova said she would not comment on the WTA Finals because she does not support the tournament being held in Saudi Arabia.

Critics say it is naive to suggest that the tennis tournament could have an impact on a culture that is repressive towards women.

Jaber said the move gives players and the sport an opportunity to help shape Saudi culture in a positive way.

Jabeur, 29, says the partnership could lead to greater understanding and asks critics to visit Saudi Arabia and give the new home of the WTA Finals a chance before passing judgment.

Jabeur says tennis players are talking about inclusivity and the WTA has responded by expanding the game's global reach to the Middle East and Arab women.

“I think if you're in another country and you don't go there and see how they play in Saudi Arabia, for me, even though I'm not from Saudi Arabia, I would invite everyone to come and see for themselves,” said Gill: “If they really don’t like it, they’ll give their honest opinion.

“We don’t tell them to say you really like it or anything like that. Obviously I want to see better comments. women to see their old role models and believe they can achieve anything.”

Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty