‘Taking the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia Would..’- Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova Join Forces to Make a Desperate Plea

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert know how to deal with problems that might trouble women’s tennis. And this time the problem might be the shifting of the WTA finals to Saudi Arabia. Both of them have spoken individually regarding the same concerns. But now they have taken a step ahead and come together to put a strong foot forward.

As the debacle regarding whether the tournament should take place in Saudi or not is going around, both of them have together set the agenda for women’s tennis quite clearly. Recently, they issued a joint statement in which they spoke out against the prospect of having the year-end finals in Saudi Arabia.

In that letter, it was mentioned, “Not only is this a country where women are not seen as equal, it is a country which criminalises the LGBTQ community. A country whose long term record on human rights and basic freedoms has been a matter of international concern for decades.”

While the first Grand Slam tournament of the year is going on, two former world number one players, Evert and Navratilova, are strongly working on the schedule of the WTA Finals, which means the year-end event. Apparently, since the last event, there have been conversations about the tournament taking place in Saudi Arabia.

But as someone who has fought for women’s tennis rights, both the Tennis Giants believe the other way around and are totally against this decision. They believe Saudi is not the right place for a WTA event. Along with that, the letter also talked about how they can’t sit back and allow such a significant change without a transparent discussion. So not only did they put forward the importance of having diverse cultures and supporting the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis, but they also detailed how the WTA is all about fairness and equality, empowering women in a male-dominated world, and explained how Saudi might not be the right place at the moment.

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Subsequently, while making this desperate plea, they said, “Taking the WTA finals to Saudi Arabia would represent taking a significant step backward, to the detriment of the WTA, women’s sports and women. We ask the WTA to give thought to all these considerations.”

While both of them are against this change, Billie Jean King is someone who supports this change on a larger platform.

Billie Jean King is up for the huge WTA Finals change 

A few months ago, the 80-year-old American tennis legend shared a harsh reality while explaining the potential Saudi Arabian move. Although the thought isn’t that great if no one moves to the Middle East, there will be no interactions, and changes might be more difficult than they are today.

She said, “70% of the population is under 30. My understanding from everyone I listen to is that these younger people want change. Saying that I don’t really know what it’s like coz I haven’t been there. And if we could help change those 30 and under which is 70% of the country. Will it be worth trying or not?” As the ATP tour has already reached the Middle East with the Diriyah Tennis Cup, the WTA can also take a step forward and go for it.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on the WTA Finals moving to Saudi? Do you agree with this decision or support Navratilova and Evert’s effort to hold it back?

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