Ons Jabeur in favor of shifting the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia as she believes the nation is ‘changing things and evolving’

Ons Jabeur believes Saudi Arabia is 'evolving'.

Ons Jabeur in favor of shifting the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia as she believes the nation is ‘changing things and evolving’

Ons Jabeur (Image via: AI-Monitor)

Ons Jabeur has recently revealed that if the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) decides to hold its flagship event, the WTA Finals, in the country of Saudi Arabia, she won’t have a problem with it. The Tunisian tennis star said that she believes the Middle Eastern nation is “changing things and evolving”.

The ATP had earlier announced that they will be holding the NextGen ATP Finals in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. WTA CEO Steve Simon has previously stated that the Gulf state presented “big issues” as a host for women’s tour events. The country has often been accused of covering human rights malpractices by hosting several different sports tournaments.

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In a press conference before the upcoming US Open, when asked to share her thoughts on the WTA Finals being held in Saudi Arabia and if she’ll be attending the event there, Jabeur had a straight-forward answer, which was quite different from the rest of the women competing in the tournaments.

“You know, as an Arab player, I’m very excited to be there. I am someone pushing for a change, pushing to give more and more opportunities especially for women. I know in Saudi they’re changing things and they’re evolving,” she said. She further explained that she had visited the country the year prior to delivering a speech and for an interview and had a great time meeting ‘amazing women’ there.

Jabeur revealed that she tried to push for tennis in the country. “I think it’s a great step. I think it’s something that could help the Arab world to have more tennis players, to get more involved in sports.”

The Tunisian stated that if she qualifies, it would be a great opportunity and an honor for her to go and play there. Especially as the 28-year-old would get a chance to meet women who look up to her.

Related: Former champ Bianca Andreescu withdraws from the US Open 2023 as injury woes continue to dampen her season

WTA CEO Steve Simon’s take on Saudi Arabia hosting the WTA Finals

Steve Simon(Image via Tennis.com)
Steve Simon (Image via Tennis.com)

These WTA announcements on letting Saudi Arabia host the year-end finals are being criticized heavily by fans. The possibility of playing the Finals in Saudi Arabia has left many outraged.

The CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Steven Simon was in London for an event to mark the completion of 50 years of formation of the WTA. Regarding the WTA Finals, Simon revealed to the reporters, “We haven’t made any decisions or entered in to any formal negotiations. They’re talking to a lot of people and a lot of different sports right now. We’re evaluating like everybody else.”

Simon admitted that though there “are still tons of issues in Saudi Arabia” when it comes to women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights, WTA would “continue to have conversations” regarding it.

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