Although the players are currently taking part in the Indian Wells tournament, the media is still talking about the organization of the WTA Finals. Last year, the event was hosted in Mexico, and our best tennis player, Iga Świątek, achieved double success. Not only did she win the final, but she also returned to first place in the WTA world ranking.
There was information in the media that the Czech city of Ostrava was very interested in organizing the next competitions of the world’s best tennis players. Our southern neighbors were eager to host the WTA Finals at home last season, but in the end they chose Cancun. And we all remember how it ended. Even the players were fed up with the way the event looked. Voices were increasingly heard that the tennis players would like to return to Europe with this event. This was the tone recently expressed by, among others, Iga Świątek.
I’ve always been in the group of players who said it would be nice to have the WTA Finals in Europe, but we’re still waiting for a decision. We, as players, don’t really have much influence on where the finals will take place
~ said the WTA ranking leader.
There are many indications that the Pole was right and the players… actually don’t have much to say. Everything indicates that the competition will take place in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Riyadh. Czech media report that the decisive argument, or in fact the only one, were petrodollars.
“WTA Finals in Europe would be nice,” says Iga Świątek, focusing on Indian Wells. VIDEO/Associated Press/© 2023 Associated Press
There will be no holiday for Polish fans. The petrodollars have spoken
Organizing the WTA Finals in Ostrava would not only be an opportunity for players to compete in a city that loves tennis and, importantly, has the appropriate infrastructure, but also a great opportunity for Polish fans who could watch Iga Świątek compete with the best tennis players. Unfortunately, just like the players, the fans don’t have much to say either. The WTA authorities rely on financial arguments for this.
In the Czech Canal+, the behind-the-scenes of the whole matter are exposed by businessman Tomas Petera, who was supposed to be responsible for the financial side of the entire project. And although the Czechs offered really fair conditions, taking on almost all the costs and offering the players even several million dollars to share, they were simply outbid.
“I have only one explanation for choosing Riyadh – money,” Petera said. “The Saudis had to promise much better conditions, otherwise it would make no sense. The attendance and atmosphere would be many times better here. The Czech Republic is a country with tennis traditions and I think they deserve to be entrusted with such an event,” the businessman did not hide his regret.
Tennis community against WTA decision. The star broke off
Let us recall that the tennis community did not welcome the negotiations between the Woman’s Tennis Association and activists from the Middle East. They protested, among others: Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova. “In light of the potential move of the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia, we feel it is important to speak up now and emphasize why we are so concerned. The WTA Finals is the crown jewel of our tour and we cannot simply sit back and let something this important happen without an open , fair and transparent discussion. We fully appreciate the importance of respecting diverse cultures and religions. It is for this reason, and not in spite of it, that we believe that allowing Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals is completely inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis, and with the WTA itself,” the tennis legends wrote in a letter to the federation.
Playing in Saudi Arabia doesn’t suit almost anyone. Almost, because one of the stars has broken with the general trend and is pushing for Riyadh’s candidacy. Of course, she is the only player from a Muslim country, Tunisian Ons Jabeur. In her opinion, such an event is a great opportunity to promote women’s sports in Arab countries.
I think I’m the first player who would support going to Saudi Arabia. The country is evolving. I know that other people have different opinions, which is normal, but I was there several times and I saw how amazing the people are, how women are getting more and more rights. As a tennis player, I feel it’s time to go there and give a chance to women who dream of being tennis players.
~ Jabeur said in Indian Wells.
There are many indications that the WTA will also enable other players to get to know the kingdom ruled by the heir to the throne, Muhammad bin Salman. And Iga Świątek will be able to replace the readings by Ken Follet, which she recently recommended in Indian Wells, with, for example, the stories of our outstanding Arabist Jan Natkański. And this is probably one of the few positives of this situation.
Iga Świątek at the tournament in Ostrava/AFP
2024-03-12 16:12:00
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