Wozniacki: More tennis in Saudi Arabia ‘inevitable’ after Nadal’s move

Caroline Wozniacki, the 33-year-old Grand Slam winner, expressed on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia is likely to host more tennis tournaments in the future. She believes that, with Rafael Nadal recently becoming an ambassador for the country, there is an opportunity to advocate for positive change. The remarks were made in the context of discussions among women’s tennis authorities about the potential hosting of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.

Wozniacki, currently making a comeback after having two children, acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s increasing involvement in various sports, including golf, football, and now tennis. She stated, “I think it’s inevitable that that’s going to happen, and I think when that does happen, I think we have a chance to make a change and do something good there.”

Rafael Nadal, the 37-year-old winner of 22 Grand Slams, was named ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation on Monday, aligning with the country’s broader sports initiatives.

“Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress, and I’m excited to be part of that,” commented Nadal on his ambassadorial role in the kingdom.

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Sport plays a significant role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, aiming to transform Saudi Arabia into a tourism and business hub while shifting away from fossil fuels. However, critics argue that the country is using sports to improve its international image, citing concerns about human rights and the environment.

Caroline Wozniacki, acknowledging the complexities surrounding human rights issues, mentioned, “I obviously realize, you know, the human rights and everything else. But I think when it’s inevitable that they have so much money to put into sports, I think when you’re put in that situation, you can maybe change, make a change and do something positive.”

World number one Iga Swiatek emphasized the difficulty in making a clear judgment on the issue, stating, “It’s not easy for women in these areas. Obviously, these countries also want to change and improve politically and sociologically. It’s not easy to decide.”

With the potential hosting of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia under consideration, tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert reportedly sent a letter to WTA chief Steve Simon urging him to avoid Saudi Arabia. The letter highlighted concerns about gender equality and the criminalization of the LGBTQ community in the country.

The WTA, the governing body for women’s tennis, responded by stating that they are “in discussions with various groups surrounding the 2024 WTA Finals and beyond and have not made any decisions at this time.” They emphasized their commitment to working closely with players and building a strong future for women’s tennis.