Amid a barrage of backlash over the move to hold the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, world number two Aryna Sabalenka welcomed the idea of declaring the Middle Eastern country “much better than Cancun.”
Women's tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova this week wrote an open letter to WTA board members urging them not to play the crown jewel event in Riyadh as expected.
“Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals is completely inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis,” Evert and Navratilova wrote in the letter.
Sabalenka was asked for her opinion after her crushing victory over Czech Brenda Frovertova 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday evening to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
The 2023 Australian Open champion played in the Riyadh Season Cup last December.
“Yes, it was actually an amazing experience,” Sabalenka said.
“I was expecting something different. They treated us really well. It was a really amazing atmosphere on the field.
“People really love sports there. They really love tennis. The atmosphere was unbelievable.”
“The level of hospitality was definitely much better than in Cancun. Yes, I am happy to go there.”
Cancun hosted the 2023 WTA Finals last November in a tournament marred by poor weather conditions.
Sabalenka, then world number one, said she felt “disrespected” and “unsafe” while playing in the tournament.
“Honestly, this is another level of WTA disrespect for players,” she said in November.
“Sometimes, I don't even feel safe to move on this field.
“This is not the level I expect from the WTA Finals. Thank you for the challenge I now face of having to learn to adapt quickly to the circumstances.
“Thank you for that. But that's not something I expect from a high-level tournament like this.
Originally published as Aryna Sabalenka says Saudi Arabia is a 'much better' place to host WTA Finals than Cancun
