ATP Hit by a Massive Jibe as Billie Jean King Takes a Quirky U-Turn to Follow the Footsteps of John McEnroe and Chris Evert

Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has used its financial powers to increase its influence in the sporting world. But recently, while they were ready to host the WTA Finals by the end of this year, a lot of debate and discussion took place on whether women’s tennis should go there or not. One of the pillars of the WTA world, Billie Jean King, recently went around regarding her decision to let Saudi Arabia host the tournament to make a new statement about the present situation.

While the WTA Finals will take place in the Mexican resort of Cancun this year, the 79-year-old tennis legend recently threw shade over feeling happy regarding the tournament not going to Saudi. But along with that, she also disparaged ATP over the same deal, to follow her friends Chris Evert and John McEnroe’s footsteps.

Billie Jean King cleverly takes a U-turn on Saudi Arabia’s deal

The 12-time Grand Slam champion recently attracted a lot of heat from the tennis world for her different statements about Saudi hosting the WTA Finals. But recently, a tennis journalist took to his Twitter account to share the former world number one’s new statement regarding the WTA’s decision not to go to Saudi this year.

She said, “I’m glad we’re not going to Saudi Arabia right now, because Saudi Arabia, for women, is really difficult. For some reason, the men, they want the money, they think like that. I’m like, Whoa.”

In addition, she also shared her upset over the ATP for taking the Saudi Arabia deal, while the WTA took a different route to this year’s last tournament. Along with that, she claimed that the men’s governing body’s decision to sign a four-year contract with the country was financially motivated. Now that she has joined other American tennis players, including Evert and Superbrat in the same decision regarding why is tennis’ growing Saudi infatuation.

However, her comment came off as quite different and was in stark contrast to her own take on the same battle a few months ago. Earlier, when she opened up about the Saudi investment, she shared a totally opposite statement, supporting the WTA Finals going to the Middle Eastern country.

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When Billie Jean King shared a contradicting statement on the same debacle

Back in July, the 79-year-old tennis legend, during an event in London while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the WTA’s founding, shared a totally different take on Saudi Arabia’s deal, which even made her stand against the other set of players, including Evert and McEnroe.

At that time, the WTA’s decision to go to a country such as Saudi Arabia, where women face discrimination, was criticized a lot. But King went the other way around and said, “I’m a huge believer in engagement. I don’t think you really change unless you engage.” Subsequently, she was quite in support of Saudi, trying to extend its sporting feathers on tennis, including the WTA tour.

Nevertheless, what do you think about the 79-year-old tennis veteran taking a u-turn over her own words? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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