"We as players don't really have an impact" as Iga Swiatek shuts down questioning on WTA Finals Saudi Arabia move
WTA
With the news circulating that the year-ending WTA Finals will be relocated to Saudi Arabia, several fans and tennis players have weighed in on the matter, including World No.1 Iga Swiatek.
Saudi Arabia has become heavily involved in the tennis community as of late, employing 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal as their ambassador in an attempt to popularize the sport in the country. However, their move has been scrutinized by several, largely due to the country's questionable status human rights and women.
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Swiatek admits WTA players have little say on event location
During an interview prior to this week's Indian Wells event, the Polish star revealed she would have preferred if the WTA Finals was held in Europe, but added she and other players were not involved in determining the location of such events.
"I was always in the group of players that said it would be nice to have the WTA Finals in Europe, but we are still waiting for the decision, you know," said Swiatek. "We, as players, don’t really have much of an impact on where the finals will be held.
"It is just better for you guys to just direct these questions the WTA if you get a chance. It is them who have all the and information and are up to date."
"It is just better for you guys to just direct these questions the WTA if you get a chance. It is them who have all the and information and are up to date."
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As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!
mandoist12-11-2026 - Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.
mandoist12-11-2026 - I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!
mandoist09-11-2026 - "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?
mandoist09-11-2026 - Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026








