The potential hosting of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has garnered significant opposition from tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. In a joint opinion piece for the Washington Post, Evert and Navratilova expressed their deep concerns regarding the suitability of Saudi Arabia as a host country for the prestigious event. Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s record of human rights violations, particularly concerning women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues, the tennis icons argued that staging the WTA Finals in Riyadh would be a significant regression rather than progress for women’s tennis and the sport as a whole.
Evert and Navratilova vehemently criticized Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women, pointing out that the country’s male guardianship law essentially renders women as the property of men. Moreover, the criminalization of the LGBTQ+ community, which can result in death sentences, further demonstrates the country’s failure to uphold basic human rights and freedoms. The tennis legends argued that aligning the values of women’s tennis and the WTA with a country known for its oppressive practices would be incongruous and contradictory.
To address the growing concerns, Evert and Navratilova urged the WTA to engage in open and honest discussions before committing to Riyadh as the venue for the WTA Finals. They emphasized the importance of presentations made by human rights experts to inform the players about the realities of the hosting country. Additionally, the tennis icons called for the establishment of a human rights framework by the WTA to protect the athletes and other individuals involved in the tournament, should it proceed in Saudi Arabia.
The speculation surrounding the partnership between the WTA and Saudi Arabia began last year, with Riyadh being a potential host city for the 2023 WTA Finals. However, due to backlash from various stakeholders, including Evert, the event was ultimately held in Cancun, Mexico. Despite this setback, reports suggest that Riyadh may host the 2024 tournament. Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki expressed hope that holding the event in Saudi Arabia could potentially catalyze positive change in the country. While Evert and Navratilova acknowledged such prospects, they emphasized that change must occur before they would endorse engaging with Saudi Arabia.
Evert and Navratilova called for a reevaluation of the values upon which the WTA was founded. They highlighted the incompatibility of these values with the current state of affairs in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that holding a tournament there would be a significant step backward. Desiring progress not only for women’s sport but also for women as a whole, the tennis legends expressed their hope for change within the next five years, which would potentially allow for engagement with Saudi Arabia.
While Evert and Navratilova voiced concerns, it is worth noting that tennis governing bodies and several top players have already established connections with Saudi Arabia. The ATP hosted its 2023 Next Gen Finals event in Jeddah, and the city has been selected to host the year-end event through 2027. Additionally, prominent players such as Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and Carlos Alcaraz participated in an exhibition event in Riyadh in December. Moreover, Rafael Nadal was recently announced as the ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation. These developments indicate a growing rapport between the Middle Eastern nation and the tennis community.
The potential hosting of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh has sparked controversy and concern among tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Citing Saudi Arabia’s track record of human rights violations, Evert and Navratilova argued against holding the event in a country that lacks basic freedoms and equality. They implored the WTA to engage in transparent discussions and establish a human rights framework to protect players and others involved. While some players and governing bodies have already embraced connections with Saudi Arabia, Evert and Navratilova emphasized the need for change and progress before endorsing engagement with the nation.
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