Billie Jean King unexpectedly throwing shade at the ATP "I'm glad we're not going to Saudi Arabia right now, because Saudi Arabia, for women, is really difficult. For some reason the men, they want the money, they think like that."
Billie Jean King "glad" WTA Finals are not going to Saudi Arabia despite previously supporting talks
WTAFriday, 08 September 2023 at 17:21
Billie Jean King has revealed that she is glad the WTA Finals are not going to be held in Saudi Arabia despite having previously said that she supported talks with the country.
The WTA announced on Thursday, September 7, that the 2023 edition of the prestigious event at which the top eight players in singles and doubles play against each other would be held in Cancun, Mexico.
This came after weeks of rumors and debate about the possibility of the WTA Finals being held in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Fans and players alike were divided on the issue, but many saw it as a likely occurrence due to the fact that the ATP had already confirmed the Next Gen Finals to be held in the country's port city of Jeddah until 2027.
King gives reason for not wanting to go
On the same day as the WTA announced Mexico as the location for the Finals, tennis legend King was attending the US Open’s Champions of Equality event where she spoke about the decision, saying she was glad not to go to Saudi Arabia because of the restrictions imposed on women in the country.
"I’m glad we’re not going to Saudi Arabia right now, because Saudi Arabia, for women, is really difficult. For some reason the men, they want the money, they think like that. I’m like, Whoa," she said.
This comes after the 39-time Grand Slam champion had previously said that she supported talks between the WTA and Saudi Arabia.
However, King clarified that before they could host tournaments there, the country needed to guarantee that it was making changes.
"I believe 70% of Saudi Arabia is under 30 years old. My understanding is they want change, the young people. Somehow I think for us to go, we probably need some guarantees of change or we shouldn’t go. I would personally like to help the people there, particularly women.
"I think there’s a yearning in the hearts and minds of the people for change. If we could be an influencer in that to be more positive, then I think we should go for it. But if we cannot, then I think we have to sit down and seriously talk about it," she said.
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