Martina Navratilova expresses her fear for women players as WTA moves closer to organising events in Saudi Arabia for the big cheques

Martina Navratilova lashed out at the WTA for trying to host tournaments in Saudi Arabia.

Martina Navratilova ( Credits: CNN)

Former Czech-American tennis player and legend Martina Navratilova has time and again expressed her fear and concern regarding hosting high-profile events in Saudi Arabia due to the safety of women and gay rights in that nation.

The 18-time Grand Slam title champion is someone who is known to express her opinion on matters of concern. The former tennis legend, herself a woman and a lesbian, is worried about the safety of female players if tournaments begin in Saudi Arabia. Adding further, Martina Navratilova stated:

I absolutely would worry. I would worry for them as women. I would worry for them as gay women. People live in fear that live there. It’s just too risky & still too dangerous.

(Via BBC Sport)

Martina Navratilova says she would worry for women & gay women if WTA goes to Saudi Arabia:

"I absolutely would worry. I would worry for them as women. I would worry for them as gay women. People live in fear that live there. It’s just too risky & still too dangerous. You sell… pic.twitter.com/DsYfdkPVkZ
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 5, 2023

That’s not all; as per the former tennis professional herself, letting women players play in that country is too risky and still too dangerous. Giving the previous example of China, she further added:

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 You sell your soul for money because it’s convenient, financially? I don’t agree with that. We made a deal with China & look where that got us.. & now we are at the mercy of another government which clearly doesn’t play by the rules.

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Saudi Arabia looks to host a combined ATP and WTA 1000 events by 2025

There are some talks regarding Saudi Arabia hosting a combined ATP and WTA 1000 event by the year 2025. There were also talks of conducting the ATP or WTA Finals in Jeddah.

This brings to light the persistent problem of women’s rights and safety in Saudi Arabia, as many female tennis players have called out against this particular decision of the WTA.

Tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia ( theScore.com)

Players and tennis fans all over feel that the authorities are sacrificing the safety and well-being of the players just to make more money in a rich and conservative country like Saudi Arabia.

While many players have lashed out against this decision, a few others, like Billie Jean King, are advocating in favor of it. Even Tunisian Ons Jabeur is supporting the WTA, justifying it as hosting a tournament in a changing and evolving country.