"Maybe they're seeing something the rest of the earth isn't": Saudi support from Rafael Nadal and Billie Jean King asks questions for Andy Roddick

Former world number one Andy Roddick has expressed surprise after seeing legendary Spain’s Rafael Nadal and America’s Billie Jean King supporting Saudi Arabia interest in tennis.

The Middle Eastern country has been heavily investing in different sports in the recent past to improve its soft image globally. It is because of this reason they started a football league with the name of Saudi Pro League where a host of stars from Europe were signed by different clubs including the likes of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Saudi Arabia has expressed their intent to invest heavily in tennis as well, something which was endorsed by the likes of Nadal and Billie Jean. Roddick was recently quoted in a report where he expressed surprise after seeing some of the big names in sports endorsing such a move.

"The WTA Finals since they took that stance against China have been a dumpster fire,” he said. “They put it on at the last minute in Dallas a couple years ago. They’re doing a disservice to the product that these women are putting out by being unorganized, maybe unorganized is an unfair term — but by being reactionary and waiting till the last minute.

"The Finals have been underrepresented on a global scale for the last couple of years. It’s gone about as badly as it could go as far as putting together an organized, cohesive event that is a celebration of the kind of best of the year.

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"If, five years from now, Rafa and Billie Jean King all of a sudden pull this off and things do change, everyone who’s against it has to eat crow a little bit. We do need to have an open mind towards a result that is different from what we suspect or anticipate if it does happen," he said.

"I can’t think of two more reputable, credible, and talented spokespeople for the game. So maybe they’re seeing something that you know the rest of the earth isn't, and maybe they can affect it, but I’m afraid that we won’t know that until it’s too late, and it’s hard to say that I hope their eyes are wide open.”

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