Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have voiced their concerns about the possibility of holding the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals in Saudi Arabia. In an op-ed piece published in The Washington Post, both iconic players emphasized that hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia would signify a significant setback rather than progress in the fight against discrimination and inequality.
Evert and Navratilova pointed out that there should be a genuine debate regarding the feasibility of progress and engagement in Saudi Arabia, considering the ongoing challenges faced by women in the country, as well as the taboo around homosexuality in the wider Middle East. They cautioned against the potential risk of players inadvertently participating in a form of 'sportswashing' for the sake of financial gain.
