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Ex-Slam ace highlights how women’s rights aren’t considered in Saudi Arabia

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Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, two icons of the women’s tennis movement, have vigorously protested with an official letter to the Washington Post for the agreement that brought the WTA Finals to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. But they are not the only ones, because the former Italian tennis ace Adriano Panatta has also spoken out harshly against the WTA’s choice, as in Saudi Arabia there is not a great consideration for women’s rights.

“A tournament as important as the WTA Finals is taking place in a city and in a country where women’s rights are not held in high regard. The hope is that these Finals can help provide an opening and improve the situation from this point of view,” he said.

There was also much talk about the crowd response, because the stands at the King Saud University Indoor Arena never seemed really packed despite the level and status of the athletes present in Saudi Arabia.

The WTA has signed an important three-year contract that will allow the eight best players of the season to play the women’s Finals in Riyadh. While from an economic point of view – considering that the total prize money for the first year alone is over $15 million – it has convinced everyone, there has been a lot of criticism for having chosen to organize such an important event for women’s tennis in a place where women’s rights are very limited.

Steve Simon, CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association, said: “Bringing the WTA Finals to Riyadh is an exciting new opportunity for us, and a positive step for the long-term growth of women’s tennis as a global and inclusive sport.”

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