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WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia: Empowerment and Inclusivity in Focus
Portia Archer, the new head of the WTA, has made a commitment to champion women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia. However, Laura Robson, a former British tennis player, is urging for a greater emphasis on inclusivity in light of the decision to host the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, a move that has sparked considerable debate across the tennis world.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as the location for the prestigious tournament has raised eyebrows, primarily due to the country’s controversial human rights history, particularly regarding women’s rights.
Renowned tennis legends like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert have publicly expressed their disapproval of the event being held in such a contentious environment. Conversely, young star Coco Gauff believes that staging the finals in the Kingdom could be a significant step in fostering dialogues around LGBTQ rights and gender equality. Gauff claimed that the event could “open doors” for change in these areas.
When asked if she has engaged with local legislators to help improve conditions for marginalized groups, Archer, who previously served as the chief operating officer of the NBA G League, noted, “The message to those doubtful appears to be, come here and experience it for yourself.” She emphasized her interest in the everyday lives of Saudi citizens, particularly women and the LGBTQ+ community.
“Saudi Arabia has published its Vision 2030 goals, and we aim to contribute to those, particularly in terms of women’s empowerment,” Archer explained. She underscored the WTA’s commitment to aligning with these aspirations, adding, “We want to be directly involved in fostering this growth.”
Archer highlighted an ambitious target of introducing tennis to a million new players by 2030, in tandem with the Kingdom’s broader initiatives. “We plan to be on the ground frequently to ensure that we play an active role in reaching these objectives,” she stated.
Calls for Swift Progress
Despite Archer’s optimistic outlook, Laura Robson has voiced her concerns about the pace of change. Reflecting on her experiences during the event, she said, “The consensus seems to be that progress is gradual. While it’s encouraging to see improvements compared to just a few years ago, we all desire quicker advancements.” Robson advocates for tennis to remain at the forefront of inclusivity, given its historical dedication to these principles.
Robson expressed hopes for more visible progress by next year’s finals, but she remained cautious. “While feedback has been largely positive, the true test will be whether these changes continue after we leave,” she remarked. She further added, “It is essential to see that the ambitious vision for change translates into tangible actions—because we all understand that actions speak louder than words.”
She acknowledged the quality of the event held for players this year but insisted that there is still much work to be done in the broader societal context. “We hope that the WTA and this tournament can facilitate lasting change moving forward,” she concluded.
Upcoming Events in Tennis
Attention now shifts to the ATP Finals, the concluding event of the ATP Tour, set to take place in Turin from November 10-17. As the tennis community waits to see the outcomes of both tournaments, discussions surrounding inclusivity and empowerment in sports continue to resonate globally.
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