"It’s just wrong": Navratilova 'heartbroken' about potential Saudi involvement in women's tennis
Tennis NewsSunday, 09 July 2023 at 10:00
Former world number one Martina Navratilova has stated that she
is ‘heartbroken’ after rumours of players agreeing to receive huge chunks of money from
Saudi Arabia.
The Middle Eastern country has taken the world of sports by
surprise with their heavy investment in the recent past, in particular after
the success of the FIFA World Cup in neighbouring Qatar, in order to promote its soft
image.
They have invested heavily in football, signing the likes of five-time
Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo and former World Champion N’Golo Kante.
There have been recent reports that Saudia Arabia is now looking
to invest in tennis as well, just like they did in golf.
The news received mixed reactions from the players as some
openly criticised the move such as Russia’s Daria Kasatkina whereas others are
more welcoming towards it just like Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.
Navratilova, who is one of the most successful players in
the history of the women’s singles category, having won 18 Grand Slam titles, in
response to a tweet, wrote: "I am heartbroken about it. It’s just wrong.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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