"Obviously, they have human rights issues, just the way they treat women": Chris Evert on WTA Finals going to Saudi Arabia

Chris Evert has given one of her 2024 wishes and that is that the WTA Finals is better prepared and that the women are given the venue and spotlight they deserve for being the most successful women's sport in the world.

Cancun Chaos as it was dubbed saw a letter sent into WTA Chairman, Steve Simon lamenting the conditions, with most if not all players involved speaking out against the poor conditions in Mexico.

A tournament hastily put together including in terms of the stadium, with it still being built a day before play got underway. Horrific weather conditions also saw play delayed on a lot of occasions, water leaked onto the court and wind was a factor.

In the end, Iga Swiatek took the title, but for many the lasting impression was of a must-do better needed for the WTA and Evert is one of those that hopes this will be the case.

"One of my 2024 wishes is that the @WTAFinals gets a great venue that champions, respects and supports women…because the most successful woman’s sport in the world deserves that…," she wrote.

Albeit it has been mooted that the WTA Finals will yet move to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 edition so perhaps Evert won't get her wish of a good venue that respects women given her previous views on the tournament being rumoured to be heading to the country.

“For me, I would prefer not to go to Saudi Arabia to play the WTA Finals,” she said at the time.

“I would prefer the WTA not to go to Saudi Arabia. Obviously, they have human rights issues, just the way they treat women. I would be against it, but I don’t have a vote.”