“It’s not easy for women in these areas,” Top seed Iga Swiatek breaks her silence on Rafael Nadal’s decision to support the Saudi tennis initiative as she tries ‘not to be too upfront’

Top seed Iga Swiatek opened up about Rafael Nadal’s choice to support the Saudi tennis initiative. When asked about how the Spaniard’s decision sits with her, considering the country’s track record against women, she replied that she tries to not be too upfront.

Swiatek managed to be diplomatic about the question, as she admitted that she did not know if his decision was a good one or not. 

The Pole also revealed that it must be completely up to the federation and the governing bodies to decide the locations where they play.

I have nothing to do with Rafa and his decisions, it should be up to the federations and the governing bodies who decide if we're going to play there or not. If there would be some negative backlash, they should take the responsibility,

She said.

The four-time Grand Slam champion made it clear that the governing bodies should be solely responsible for the consequences of playing at any location. However, she also admitted that it was quite hard for her to have a black-and-white approach to the circumstances. 

For me, it's hard to straightforwardly go one way and say anything. I didn't even know about Rafa's decision. Obviously men's sport is already there in Saudi. I don't know if its a good decision or not. I'm kind of trying not to be too up front. 

She said, apologetically

While there were controversies surrounding conducting the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, Iga Swiatek has opted to remain passive about the whole scenario.

Iga Swiatek addresses rumors surrounding the WTA Finals going to Saudi

One of the heated topics of recent controversy in women’s tennis was the shifting of the WTA Finals location to Saudi Arabia.

With last year’s edition of the tournament at Guadalajara leading to discontent among the players with regards to weather conditions, it would seem that the Women’s Tennis Association will need to think of a scene change.

However, with Saudi Arabia’s track record against women, many players as well as fans were against the decision to move to Saudi Arabia. The latest player to talk about the location shift was Iga Swiatek. 

There was a lot of rumors about the WTA Finals going to Saudi. We're still waiting for the decision. Obviously, these countries  also want to change and improve politically and sociologically, 

She said

However, the Pole also added that it was hard for her to pen down the decision as good or bad concerning the conditions for women in the region.

With that being said, it seems like she eventually admitted that the decision was out of her hands and was completely up to the organizing body to decide.

In case you missed it:

• “We have a beautiful sport but…,” Tennis dad Gael Monfils expresses awe at female athletes who are acing it at motherhood and on court
• Martina Navratilova is furious with trans-inclusion in women’s spaces after a 13-year-old girl faces “hell” as she loses her place on the football team

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