Andy Murray turned down a seven-figure appearance fee to play in an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia due to concerns over the country's human rights record.
Murray turned down seven-figure fee to play Saudi Arabia exhibition
ATPSaturday, 15 January 2022 at 13:00
Andy Murray turned down a seven-figure fee to play an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia, his agent said in a recent interview.
Murray, the former World No.1, rejected the opportunity to play in Riyadh where sums of up to £1.5m were offered to top sporting stars to play.
"He's turned down stuff in Saudi and I don't think he would play there just because of what's gone on," Matt Gentry told the SportUnlocked podcast.
"If he feels strongly about something regardless, he's at the stage where he will happily call it out and he will have that debate with people. I don't think he's scared to voice his opinion on it."
"Exhibition matches, they have done a few over the years where they have paid eyewatering sums of money to get players to come over, and he just wasn't interested," he added.
"If you are a former No. 1 player in the world in the Middle East you could potentially earn $1 million, $2 million for an exhibition match ... this is for the top players, the big global names."
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- Players need to STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY THEIR INCLUSION! They are not ambassadors for women in Saudi Arabia, they are not politicians, and they will never make a difference for females in that 'culture'. This little tennis "tournament" changes nothing. Players were lured by the money, opted to participate, and should just keep their predictable excuses and Women's Freedom Fairy Tales to themselves. Period. Like most things in Life -- one cannot make an argument relating to the Saudi Regime and, at the same time, triple your bank account with their "gifts".
mandoist03-11-2024 - Players need to STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY THEIR INCLUSION! They are not ambassadors for women in Saudi Arabia, they are not politicians, and they will never make a difference for females in that 'culture'. This little tennis "tournament" changes nothing. Players were lured by the money, opted to participate, and should just keep their predictable excuses and Women's Freedom Fairy Tales to themselves. Period. Like most things in Life -- one cannot make an argument against the Saudi Regime and, at the same time, triple your bank account with their "gifts".mandoist03-11-2024
- Bring 'm on already! Cannot wait.MrAndreeva29-10-2024
- First of all, there is only one laughing emoji in her Insta story and not “several”. Also, you may want to check recent articles which has paparazzi photos of her driving a Porsche🤣Lyca29-10-2024
- Just give her some time to develop without constant scrutinyLyca27-10-2024
