“It’s depressing for tennis fans” – Netizens ’embarrassed’ as WTA Finals drew crowd of around 400 in Riyadh
On the second day of the WTA Finals, around 400 spectators at King Saud University Indoor Arena watched the match as per reports.
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Around 400 fans attended the match on the second day of WTA Finals (Images via X)
While the women’s tennis players are in the middle of the group stage matches at the WTA Finals with ranking points, including the year-end No. 1 up for grabs, fans are disappointed to see that only around 400 spectators turned up to fill the seats at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh.
Fans think WTA has failed to draw local fans by hosting the prestigious event in Riyadh. Those who were watching the matches live on screens found it difficult to see the crowd due to the dark lighting inside the court.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova, who has always been vocal about her stance against staging the WTA Finals in Riyadh, raised the issue on X as she found it ‘weird’ and ‘odd’ not seeing the crowd. Tim Henman, who now works for Sky Sports, called it ‘extremely disappointing’ to see only 400 spectators during the match between World No. 3 Coco Gauff and World No. 6 Jessica Pegula on Sunday.
The WTA Finals is being held in Riyadh for the first time and Gauff thinks this is the reason why there was an absence of so many fans. The tennis fans, however, slammed WTA, accusing them of being a part of Saudi Arabia’s scheme of ‘sportwashing’.
The WTA Finals in 2025 and 2026 will also be held in Riyadh. The record prize money of $15.25 million in this edition will increase in the next two editions.
Fans slam WTA for hosting the WTA Finals in Riyadh
On X, a fan said Riyadh is too big to host the WTA Finals, while another thinks the venue has nothing to do with the crowd, pointing out that there was also a small crowd when the year-end event was held in Singapore.
A few fans criticized WTA for the decision, as they think WTA moved the event to Riyadh solely due to financial reasons. Some fans think local people in Riyadh were not interested in women’s matches, as they accused Saudi Arabia of suppressing women.
Check out the X reactions here:
It’s depressing for us tennis fans and for my daughter who wants to be a pro … doesn’t give much motivation .. shouldn’t happen at a finals .
— Ricardo Braun (@RicardoBraun24) November 4, 2024
Are we shocked that a country that suppresses women isn’t interested in watching women’s tennis? Also a country that isn’t accessible for women to visit among other groups of people.
— Emma ‘Dacia’ Raducant ?? (@EmmaRaducant) November 4, 2024
If it were ATP finals that place would be full.
A diabolical decision to go there
Well …..
— Loli (@LoliLondon) November 4, 2024
They go there for the cash not for the love os sport or fans…. pic.twitter.com/N4IJRkBX0s
That’s crazed. Empty seating but besides their policies, the average passionate fan has no money to drop in traveling out to Saudi no matter who’s playing.
— Gale Moorman (@MOORMANGIRL) November 5, 2024
Singapore was also empty. So it isn’t entirely about the venue or city but also about the women’s tennis which doesn’t attract the same crowds as you may think.
— Javier Hernandez (@dukeofislington) November 4, 2024
Embarrassing! There is nothing more discouraging for a player than lack of audience. The whole point is to play for the fans!!!
— Jakub ??⚡️?⚡️??? (@JakubKudlacz) November 5, 2024
And the WTA posts this nonsense. Embarrassing. Everyone who actually loves tennis deserves better. https://t.co/DJYrYT4qSU
— Sharon H (@TrixieBelden_) November 4, 2024
WTA have to do better with their decision making. These are the best 8 women tennis players in the world and to play the matches with so few spectators is so disappointing.
— Steve Redfearn ? (@SteveRedfearn2) November 4, 2024
That looks like a lot less than 400, there are barely 100 people
— kevin dyke (@kevindyke1) November 4, 2024
The decision was made only to financial reasons, tennis is not a popular sport there and an empty stadium was to expect.
— cristina criswald (@criscriswald) November 4, 2024
But the money is what that matters ? pic.twitter.com/EJUQ8mhIYG
— Emma ‘Dacia’ Raducant ?? (@EmmaRaducant) November 4, 2024
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who beat Barbora Krejcikova in three sets in her group-stage match, found it ‘comfortable’ to play in front of fewer fans but admitted that she would have liked more fans during her matches. Krejcikova, on the other hand, also found the atmosphere ‘nice’. Swiatek will next face Coco Gauff, while Krejcikova will lock horns with Jessica Pegula.
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Gouri Das
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