"People live in fear": Martina Navratilova airs concerns on 'risky' and 'dangerous' WTA Saudi Arabia prospects
WTASunday, 03 December 2023 at 21:01
Martina Navratilova has aired her concerns on the worry of WTA tournaments being played in Saudi Arabia with murmerings that the WTA Finals could find their place in the region from next year onwards cropping up again.
This week sees the ATP Next Gen Finals and the WTA Finals are likely next, with a breakaway super tour also being mooted earlier this week. But in particular, for the women, Navratilova feels fear as well as for gay women.
Supposedly the WTA are focusing on LGBT players who may well fear for their safety albeit without actually receiving firm assurances at all. Navratilova herself said that she would not set foot in the country amid the country's poor record on human rights and LGBT issues.
She also cited the China deal urging caution, with the WTA in her words selling their soul and the fallout from the Peng Shuai scandal which has remained unresolved before they returned to the country this year after a small boycott.
"I absolutely would worry [WTA events in Saudi Arabia]," Navratilova told BBC Sport. "I would worry for them as women, I would worry for them as gay women. People live in fear that live there. It’s just too risky and still too dangerous."
“You sell your soul for money because it’s convenient, financially? I don’t agree with that. We made a deal with China and look where that got us, and now we are at the mercy of another government which clearly doesn’t play by the rules.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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