WTA CEO Steve Simon emphasizes the importance of addressing the Saudi question, stating that the organization cannot simply ignore it.

A Controversial Proposition

The WTA Tour finds itself at a crossroads as it grapples with the question of whether to engage with Saudi Arabia in hosting an event. Reports have emerged that Saudi Arabia has approached the women’s tour, signaling its interest in potentially hosting the prestigious end-of-season finals.

“We haven’t made any decisions or entered into any formal negotiations,” reveals Steve Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the WTA Tour. “They’re talking to a lot of different sports right now. We’re evaluating like everybody else.”

Saudi Influence in Sports

This move comes amidst Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in various sporting domains around the globe. From their recent high-profile takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United by their sovereign wealth fund to attracting renowned players such as Cristiano Ronaldo for domestic league play, they’ve been making waves.

In December last year, they even organized the Diriyah Tennis Cup featuring British men’s number one Cameron Norrie.

The Contentious Side:

However, engaging with Saudi Arabia raises concerns due to allegations of human rights abuses within their borders. While some reforms have occurred under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rule – including lifting restrictions on women driving – there are ongoing challenges related to women’s rights and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

The international community also questions the crown prince’s involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an accusation he firmly denies. These complexities make any association with Saudi Arabia a difficult and challenging topic for all involved.

Measuring Progress

In February, Steve Simon visited Saudi Arabia himself to witness the situation firsthand. Taking a couple of players along, they sought to understand if there had been genuine change. While acknowledging that issues persist, Simon commended the country’s advancements in women’s rights as “transformational.”

“They have a long way to go; however, they’ve made significant strides,” he emphasizes.

The Players’ Voice

Throughout this process, player opinions hold great importance for the WTA Tour. Fully consulting them allows their voices to shape decisions on matters such as engaging with Saudi Arabia.

“I want to understand what their perception would be,” says Simon emphatically. “This is a big one—a controversial one—and I value their voice.”

Moving Forward

Acknowledging remaining concerns within Saudi Arabia related to LGBTQ+ rights and lesbian players’ safety, Simon assures ongoing discussions will address these sensitive topics appropriately.

“It’s something that we don’t agree with,” he states firmly. “There’s still progress that has to be made… We’ve had direct conversations about that issue—it’s a very sensitive issue over there.”