Saudi won’t stop. They will get a slice of tennis one way or another. That’s just a fact. The job of the ATP and WTA is to manage it in a way that avoids a LIV-like situation
The WTA is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals, with plans to triple the prize money, sparking a reaction from fans.
Saudi Arabia's efforts to boost its presence in the WTA have garnered significant attention within the tennis community. However, the recent developments have left fans with mixed feelings.
In a recent report by the Daily Mail, it has been revealed that the Gulf nation is considering a substantial three-fold increase in prize money, raising it to a staggering $12 million. Additionally, they have proposed an eye-catching $8 million fee for hosting the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
The final decision on the tournament's venue is expected to be made during the ongoing US Open in New York next week. Notably, Washington, Prague, and Monterrey are also contenders in the race to host the year-end championship.
Fans have taken to social media to react to the ongoing negotiations between the WTA and Saudi Arabia, following the continuous reports about discussions between the Arab nation and the association.
"Saudi won’t stop. They will get a slice of tennis one way or another. That’s just a fact. The job of the ATP and WTA is to manage it in a way that avoids a LIV-like situation," some user wrote.
Saudi won’t stop. They will get a slice of tennis one way or another. That’s just a fact. The job of the ATP and WTA is to manage it in a way that avoids a LIV-like situation
"Hope the WTA doesn't keep trying to find short-term bandaid solutions by taking the highest bidder and actually show some leadership and long-term vision (not to mention integrity) so they can negotiate from a place of power moving forward,"
Hope the WTA doesn't keep trying to find short-term bandaid solutions by taking the highest bidder and actually show some leadership and long-term vision (not to mention integrity) so they can negotiate from a place of power moving forward.
"The fact that the WTA is considering Saudi Arabia as a host, a country where the LGBTQ+ community has NO rights at all while Daria Kasatkina, an openly gay woman, qualified at last year’s WTA Finals makes me sick. And she’s #12 at the race now so what if she qualifies again?"
The fact that the WTA is considering Saudi Arabia as a host, a country where the LGBTQ+ community has NO rights at all while Daria Kasatkina, an openly gay woman, qualified at last year’s WTA Finals makes me sick. And she’s #12 at the race now so what if she qualifies again?
As reported by the Daily Mail, Saudi Arabia plans to triple the prize money for the WTA Finals to $15M and pay a $10M staging fee to host the event in Riyadh this year. 🇸🇦🚨 Prague, Monterrey, and D.C. are in contention as well. Meetings will be held in NY next week to decide…
I know money is important in sports but what kind of messages does that send to the openly gay women playing tennis ? And to the closeted ones ? I’m disgusted.
If WTA believes women rights which they are " Women " Tennis Association... they shouldnt even think about that. Women have no rights in Saudi Arabia ... If they say yes, ı think most of the players wont go there... Iga first...
That is enormous money for the WTA, its infrastructure, offices, staffing - the whole thing could be properly funded instead of having like 2 people run the whole website etc. Yes, there are wrongs with the whole Saudi thing, but it wouldn't half set up the WTA going forward
Considering the appalling money the ladies are paid, outside the slams, I’d say grab it with two hands, even if you have to hold your nose…
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And the Saudis would still think it is a beneficial deal for them. That’s how bad they need the most relevant, world-wide organization in professional women’s sports. If @wta is going to cave, I’d ask for $100 million and some other things! The Saudis have that and more…