“A significant step backward,” WTA legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova go all out trying to prevent the Saudi tennis initiatives that have even got Rafael Nadal hooked

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert have written a join letter to WTA Chief Steve Simon.

“A significant step backward,” WTA legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova go all out trying to prevent the Saudi tennis initiatives that have even got Rafael Nadal hooked

Martina Navratilova, Rafael Nadal, Chris Evert (Images via The Today Show, France 24 NBC News)

Women’s tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert are still not convinced about giving Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the WTA Finals, the crown jewel of women’s tennis. As the talks around shifting the season-ending championships to the Middle Eastern country continue to pick pace, Navratilova and Evert are not convinced even if Rafael Nadal sees “real potential“.

The Spanish tennis legend recently signed as the brand ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation (ATF) saying that there is progress and growth of tennis in the country. Nadal pledges to popularize tennis in the Middle Eastern country and is happy to be at the forefront of the initiatives launched by STF.

YouTube video

This move from Rafael Nadal came as a surprise for many. While some praised the 22-time Grand Slam champion for his decision to keep working on his aim to popularize the sport on a global level, a large section of fans called out the legend.

FS Video

Amid this row, a letter from Navratilova and Evert to the WTA advising against moving to Saudi Arabia poses an interesting scenario. While the Next Gen ATP Finals are already being hosted in Jeddah, there may be a possibility of giving a few more important tournaments to the country. But the former WTA stars are totally against it.

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert warn against moving WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia

While WTA managed to avoid any backlash by not moving the 2023 WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia, the murmurs are still there as authorities mull over the possibility. Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, meanwhile, have warned against such a move citing the problems within the Middle Eastern country.

Martina-Navratilova-Chris-Evert
Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert (Image via Tennis World USA)

The letter written to WTA Chief Steve Simon has been accessed by Sports Illustrated. It reveals that Navratilova and Evert have openly expressed their reservations against any such future move from WTA. They have cited the human rights problems and the laws against the LGBTQ+ community as major concerns.

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.
Reads a part of the letter written by Martina Navratiliva and Chris Evert.
Taking the WTA finals to Saudi Arabia would represent taking a significant step backwards, to the detriment of the WTA, women’s sports and women. We ask the WTA to give thought to all these considerations.
The letter reads.

There has been no reply from the WTA officials to this letter. It will be interesting to see if WTA ignores the concerns of two of the most influential players on the tour or if Navratilova and Evert’s concerns are taken into consideration before a conclusion is reached.

In case you missed!