WTA Finals
Finals in Saudi Arabia? Stars are pushing for quick clarification
Iga Swiatek demands a quick decision on the venue of the WTA Finals. photo
© Leslie Billman/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Two months before the WTA Finals, the organizer has not yet been determined. Whether the tournament could be awarded to Saudi Arabia for the first time is also being debated at the US Open.
Several top women tennis players have speculated about Reluctantly commented on Saudi Arabia as the venue for the WTA Finals and urged a quick clarification by the women’s professional organization.
“It’s pretty unfortunate and annoying that we haven’t made a decision yet,” said Polish world number one Iga Swiatek in New York before the start of the US Open. “As players we can’t do anything, it’s business and WTA negotiations, so we have to wait.”
The finals of the best eight players of the year are scheduled to start on October 30th, the WTA has so far left the host open. In the previous year, the annual financial statements took place in Fort Worth, Texas. Recently there have been reports that the tournament could be awarded to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Critics see the investments made by the strictly conservative kingdom as an attempt to polish its image to distract from violations of human rights.
hope for change
Swiatek, like other players like the American Coco Gauff and Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, did not want to evaluate the content of a possible award of the finals to Saudi Arabia. World No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the US said they wanted to see there be some kind of change when the tournament was held in Saudi Arabia. “If the money is right and the arrangement is such that we can stand behind it, if we can go there and create change, then I would be okay with playing there,” said the players’ committee member.
The Tunisian Ons Jabeur spoke out in favor of an award to Saudi Arabia. “As an Arab player, I would be excited to be there. I push for change, push for more and more opportunities for women. I know things are changing and evolving in Saudi Arabia.”
For men, the Next Gen ATP Finals will take place for the first time in Jeddah from November 28th to December 2nd, 2023. The tournament is organized in men’s tennis for the U21 generation with the best talents of the year.