We did not help build women’s tennis for it to be exploited by Saudi Arabia
We fully appreciate the importance of respecting diverse cultures and religions. 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. Not only is this a country where women are not seen as equal, it is a country where the current landscape includes a male guardianship law that essentially makes women the property of men. A country which criminalizes the LGBTQ community to the point of possible death sentences. A country whose long-term record on human rights and basic freedoms has been a matter of international concern for decades.
DECISION: The deal was struck with Saudi Arabia anyway and the WTA finals will go to the Saudi city of Jeddah from this year until 2026.. Martina Navratilova has said that the decision to stage the women’s tennis end-of-season finals in Saudi Arabis is as shocking as taking them to North Korea and that she does not intend to work on them as a pundit.