2024 WTA FInals venue not decided yet despite Saudi Arabia rumours

The WTA have reportedly not decided yet on a venue for the 2024 WTA Finals, the governing body of women's tennis has said despite continued growing speculation that Saudi Arabia will be the home of the season ending tournament.

Cancun was named as the venue late on for this year's edition less than two months before it began in late October which brought chaos as courts were barely finished, monsoon-type weather, and player complaints aplenty.

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The BBC reported that negotiations for the Saudi Arabia move were in the late stages of a potential multi-year deal. This would end any sort of confusion about where the tournament will be hosted. A similar agreement was in place with Shenzhen up until the initial WTA boycott due to Peng Shuai.

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Unease at the move, denied by WTA

This potential move though has drawn the ire of tennis legends and others involved in the sport with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in particular voicing their concerns about the human rights and LGBTQ+ record of the country as well as laws surrounding women.

But Navratilova herself admitted that it was inevitable like other sports due to the money offered. The WTA denied the move was incoming though and that they are in consultation with a variety of different groups surrounding the venue for next year's Finals.

"We are in discussions with various groups surrounding the 2024 WTA Finals and beyond and have not made any decisions at this time," a WTA spokesperson said via Reuters. "As with all WTA decisions, we are working closely with players and focused on continuing to build a strong future for women's tennis."

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