INDIAN WELLS: Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur said on Wednesday she would fully support the Women’s Tennis Association if it decided to move the prestigious WTA finals to Saudi Arabia this year. The debate over hosting the event in the Persian Gulf country has intensified, especially after strong opposition from tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who expressed their disapproval in the Washington Post in January.
“I think I’m the first player who would support going to Saudi Arabia,” she told reporters in Indian Wells. “The country is developing. I know others have a different opinion, which is normal, but I’ve been there a few times and I’ve seen how wonderful people are, and how women are getting more and more rights.
“As a tennis player, I feel it’s time to go there, it’s time to give an opportunity to women who dream of being tennis players.” The WTA has been praised by human rights campaigners for suspending its tournaments in China over concerns about the treatment of former world number one in doubles Peng Shuai, and risks angering those same activists by embracing Riyadh. WTA chief Steve Simon told Reuters earlier that the 2024 finals had not yet been decided.
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He also said last year that the kingdom had introduced “big themes” and the matter was being discussed with various groups. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports such as football, Formula 1, and golf in the past few years. But critics accuse the country of using sport to cover up its poor record on human rights and equality. Saudi Arabia denies allegations of human rights abuses and says its laws protect its national security.
Last August, the men’s ATP Tour revealed a five-year deal with Saudi Arabia to host the Next Gen Finals. In 2021, Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the top 10, reaching as high as second place. The three-time Grand Slam finalist will face American Katie Volynets in the second round on Friday.
