Aryna Sabalenka beats Ons Jabeur 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Riyadh Tennis Season Cup. Match umpired by Portuguese Carlos Ramos, who is back for a couple of days — gonna do Djokovic vs Alcaraz tomorrow as well.
"Way way way better than it was in Cancun": Aryna Sabalenka comfortable with mooted WTA Finals move to Saudi Arabia after exhibition experience
WTAWednesday, 17 January 2024 at 22:00
Aryna Sabalenka spoke in favor of moving the WTA Finals to the Middle East amid rumors of investments by Saudi Arabia to host the tournament that brings together the top 8 women tennis players of the season.
While several players and former players have expressed opposition, Sabalenka's opinion is positive regarding Saudi Arabia, recalling her participation in the Riyadh Tennis Cup exhibition tournament last year:
"It was an amazing experience [playing in Saudi Arabia]. I expected something different. They treated us really well. It was a really amazing atmosphere in the stadium. People really like sports there. They really like tennis. The atmosphere was incredible. The level of hospitality was definitely way, way, way better than it was in Cancun. Yeah, I'm happy to go there," Sabalenka said after her second-round match.
"I think this is not the level for the WTA Finals. These are not conditions for the WTA Finals. So, yeah, it's not great. I hope that next year WTA will do a better job,” she expressed in October 2023.
Controversy surrounds Saudi Arabia’s role in Women’s tennis
Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert recently sent a letter to the WTA to prevent tournaments from taking place in Saudi Arabia: “We believe allowing Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals is entirely incompatible with the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis, and the WTA itself,” they stated. “Not only is this a country where women are not seen as equal, it is a country which criminalises the LGBTQ community.”
Last year, world No. 13 Daria Kasatkina, who came out as gay in 2022, expressed concerns about the country: "Honestly, tough to talk about," the world number 10 told reporters during Wimbledon. "It's easier for the men because they feel pretty good there. We don't feel the same way. Money talks in our world right now. For me, I don't think that everything is about the money."
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