Tennis legend John McEnroe has hit out at suggestions Saudi Arabia could host the WTA Finals this year – describing the move as “laughable” as he pointed to Petrostat’s questionable treatment of women.
Jeddah will host the ATP Next Gen Finals until 2027, and more tournaments are expected to be on the oil-rich country's radar.
McEnroe, who is in Australia to commentate on the Australian Open, has also seen reports that Saudi Arabia is keen to buy high-profile tennis tournaments such as the Miami Open and Madrid Open, and he was not afraid to voice his opinion on the development.
“It wouldn't shock me,” McEnroe told ESPN before the tournament began.
“Let's put it this way: Money talks. 'Oh, no, I'm not going to do it. How much did you offer me? On second thought, maybe I'll do it.'”
The move that really hurts McEnroe is moving the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia.
“Personally, I don't quite agree with it, as far as golf and tennis go.”
“Are the women going to play the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me?
“Because they treat women so well? That part, to me, is laughable.”
“At the same time, what's also laughable is people who can criticize tennis players or golfers for doing something that almost every business and government does, which is doing business with Saudi Arabia.
“The idea that tennis players should set the ethical standards, or golfers for that matter, when they're all making money, is a complete joke to me. We'll see what happens.”
One player who has recently gone on record as raving about the positives of a separate golf-style LIV tennis tournament is controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios.
“I was going to be the first one to jump in. I was going to go. I was going to let the ATP ship sink.”
8.45am: Alcaraz is keen to oust the RLA KING
– France Press agency
Carlos Alcaraz headlines the men's draw on day three of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Alcaraz, the Wimbledon champion, will compete with Novak Djokovic for first place during the tournament held at Melbourne Park.
The 20-year-old Spaniard edged the Serbian in a thrilling final at the All England Club last year to win his second major tournament.
Since that encounter at Wimbledon, world number one Djokovic, a ten-time champion in Melbourne, has twice beaten his young rival, including in the ATP Finals in November.
But Alcaraz, who missed the Australian Open last year due to a hamstring injury, does not hesitate to prepare for his first match against French veteran Richard Gasquet.
He said the challenge of toppling Djokovic, the king of Rod Laver Arena, gave him “extra motivation.”
“I always want to play against the best players in the world to see my level,” he said.
“It's obviously a good test, playing against him in places or in a tournament where he's almost unbeaten.
“Yes, I am looking forward to getting to the final and hopefully playing the final against him. It would be amazing, obviously.”
8.30am: 'No regrets' for Osaka after first-round exit
Naomi Osaka said she had no regrets and did “the best I could do” after her Grand Slam return came to an abrupt halt at the Australian Open on Monday.
Caroline Gracia, seeded 16th, proved that a single break of serve was enough to win the first set against her rusty opponent before dominating the second set tiebreak to win 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) in the first round.
Japanese star Osaka, winner of four major championships, stepped away from tennis in September 2022, due to mental health concerns.
After giving birth to her daughter, Shay, in July, she decided to return for the 2024 season.
“I felt like I did my best. It was really great to be on Rod Laver again, and to hear the crowd and how they were reacting to the match. It was fun,” she said.
“Of course I have to say to myself, 'Hey, like you're six months pregnant,' and things like that. Of course, there's a voice in my head that says, 'Who are you to think you can come back and immediately start winning games?'
“I don't know. I always expect to get a chance anyway. So I think just being kinder to myself is a key thing I've learned in my time away.”
Originally published as Australian Open 2024 Day 3: Latest news, scores and highlights from Melbourne Park
