“Pretty cool for us,” Jessica Pegula reveals WTA players’ real feelings behind Saudi Arabia deal and merger with ATP

In the future, there's also the possibility of an ATP-WTA merger. Pegula thinks that merging the two tours would only help to grow the sport.

“Pretty cool for us,” Jessica Pegula reveals WTA players’ real feelings behind Saudi Arabia deal and merger with ATP

Jessica Pegula (Image via X)

Despite the concerns of women’s and LGBTQ+ people’s rights in Saudi Arabia, it was announced on Thursday (April 4) that WTA Finals will be played in Riyadh from 2024 to 2026. The prospect of playing tennis in the kingdom has raised many eyebrows. America’s Jessica Pegula however, thinks taking women’s tennis to Saudi Arabia can bring a positive change.

Pegula Front Office Sports that women players would be treated better in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, she and those who advocate PIF’s involvement in WTA have pondered over how tennis can help bring a change in the Middle Eastern country.

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To have it be a women-only event where we feel like we get treated better almost than any other event is pretty cool for us.
Jessica Pegula told Front Office Sports

In the future, there’s also the possibility of an ATP-WTA merger. Pegula thinks that merging the two Tours would only help to grow the sport.

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It seems like everyone is pretty open to it. I feel like I would be open to it. I feel like it would make sense that it would be bigger and maybe better.
Jessica Pegula added

The top eight singles players and doubles players will battle it out to clinch the coveted trophy. The WTA Final is expected to start from November 2.

Jessica Pegula believes Saudi PIF would try to avoid LIV’s fate

Last year, the PGA Tour merged with LIV Golf, and at first, they considered it beneficial for both the involved entities. But later reports claimed that the deal started collapsing.

Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula (Image via X)

Jessica Pegula doesn’t want the same with tennis. She believes PIF will do things differently and in a friendly way to avoid LIV’s fate.

After seeing what happened with LIV and that kind of didn't do well, it seems like they want to do it in a better way because obviously they're doing it to help sports and stuff, but they don't want to look bad as well.
Jessica Pegula said

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old is participating in the Charleston Open after the Miami Open quarter-final exit. She started her campaign in Charleston against compatriot Amanda Anisimova and defeated her in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(7-3). Pegula then faced Magda Linette in the Round of 16.

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