Chris Evert urges players to learn about Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women before agreeing to WTA’s immoral decision to sign the deal

Chris Evert takes her strong stance against the WTA and the ATP of conducting tournaments in Saudi Arabia in the near future.

Chris Evert urges players to learn about Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women before agreeing to WTA’s immoral decision to sign the deal

Chris Evert (image via: TennisNet.com)

Tennis legend Chris Evert is very vocal about the tennis federation’s move to conduct the tournaments in Saudi Arabia. Evert has especially raised her voice against the WTA to back out from conducting the tournaments in Saudi Arabia. The former World No.1 has also urged the players to not sign the contracts if the tournaments take place in Saudi.

Previously Martina Navratilova also took a stance against the WTA’s decision. When there were rumors that the WTA is planning to schedule the WTA Finals in the near future both Navratilova and Chris Evert have shown strong opposition to this decision. Evert has been actively sharing her opinions regarding this on her Twitter handle. In such a similar tweet, Evert said: 

The players need to take a very close and serious look at the culture, the laws and the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia before they make an educated and moral decision on whether to play over there.
Chris Evert on X
YouTube video

The tennis legend is worried about the safety of the players. The rules that Saudi has regarding women and trans-gender are the main cause of the strict opposition. Apart from this tennis legends and various other active players have also shared their concerns regarding this decision.

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What makes ‘Saudi as a host nation’ a matter of controversy for WTA events?

This situation is fueled up after some news came out regarding talks of hosting a combined ATP and WTA 1000 event by the year 2025. Reports also say that there were ideas for conducting the event in Jeddah. However, as of now, no such news is confirmed. Many players too have expressed their dissatisfaction with the WTA regarding this decision.

Dariyah Tennis Cup in Saudi (image via: Times of Oman)

Various tennis players and pundits have lashed out at the WTA and ATP. They have been saying that they are sacrificing the safety and well-being of the players just to make more money. Saudi has rich resources thus they can provide big bulks to the federations which might have tempted them. However, the conservative rules there are not much liked by the players especially those who are supporters of LGBTQ rights.

While there are a major number of players and former tennis legends there are also certain players who have extended their support regarding this decision. Players such as Ons Jabeur and Billie Jean King have supported this decision. They remarked that it is a wise decision to conduct a tournament of such stature in an evolving country like Saudi.

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