Aryna Sabalenka has no problems playing in Saudi Arabia, but Coco Gauff is 'worried'

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With the start of the WTA Finals on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, women's tennis is entering new territory.

In April it was confirmed that the WTA's signature season finale, featuring the world's eight best players, would be moved to Riyadh for three years.

The proposed deal had long been discussed and had drawn criticism, particularly from two of the greatest champions in women's tennis history, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, who wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post in January denouncing the country's human rights record .

But women's tennis has followed the example of many other sports and there was little dissent when players addressed the media on Friday.

“I saw that everything is pretty relaxed here,” said world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

“I personally have no problems playing here. I think it's really important to bring tennis to the whole world and inspire the younger generation.

“The effort they put into women’s sports here is incredible. I'm really impressed. I’m really happy to be here and, I would say, to be part of some kind of history here.”

Given the difficulties the women's tour, and this event in particular, have faced in recent years, it is perhaps unsurprising that the move was widely welcomed.

After agreeing a lucrative 10-year contract with Shenzhen in China, this contract only lasted a single term due to Peng Shuai's disappearance and the impact of Covid-19.

Since 2019, the WTA Finals have been held in three different cities, all last-minute deals and culminating in last year's problems in Cancun, where storms severely disrupted the event and players heavily criticized the facilities.

A similar scenario is not expected in Riyadh, where local organizers are determined to give the event a positive image.

All players cited the desire to contribute to changing the sporting culture in Saudi Arabia as the reason for the move.

As expected, Coco Gauff, known for both her social activism and her prowess on the court, gave the most insightful answer on the subject.

“I would be lying to you if I said I had no reservations,” said the American. “Obviously you know who I am and what I'm talking about.

“Firstly for the LGBTQ+ community, for me it is always a community that I will fight for. I have family and friends who are part of this community. I hear your concerns.

“I really feel that in order to initiate change, you have to start one step at a time. So I was taught growing up black in America and knowing our history. Obviously there were a lot of people who were against it (racial equality). Now we all live together equally.

“If we shied away from that back then, where would we be now? The same message applies to women too. Obviously I'm a woman. I was very worried. My father was very worried about me coming here.

“I think sport can open doors for people. I think their goal is to have a million people playing tennis here by 2030. If you never come here, it can never end like this. To want change, you have to see it.”

Amnesty International has been a vocal critic of perceived “sports washing” in Saudi Arabia, and Felix Jakens, the UK's head of priority campaigns and vulnerable people, described the country's hosting of the WTA Finals as a “dark irony”.

Citing the example of fitness trainer Manahel al-Otaibi, who was jailed earlier this year, Jakens said: “Despite claims about supposed reforms by the authorities, Saudi women face widespread institutionalized discrimination and speaking out on women's rights issues is incredibly dangerous .” .

“We want the WTA stars in Riyadh to use their privileged position to call for human rights reform in Saudi Arabia and in particular to urge the authorities to immediately release Manahel al-Otaibi.”

On court, Sabalenka is trying to keep Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings for the second year in a row, having regained the top spot in unusual circumstances last month when the Pole was penalized for failing to meet mandatory tournament requirements.

Last year Swiatek moved to the top after clearing the rest of the draw, but this time Sabalenka has a bigger lead while her rival hasn't played since the US Open because she took time off for a coaching change .

Wim Fissette has replaced Tomasz Wiktorowski in Swiatek's team, while Elena Rybakina announced on Friday that she will be coached by former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic from next season.

Ivanisevic is making his first foray onto the WTA Tour after parting ways with Novak Djokovic earlier this season.

“I'm really looking forward to this partnership,” said Rybakina, whose previous long-term agreement with Stefano Vukov ended in August, while the Croatian focused much attention on the former Wimbledon champion's treatment.

This will be her first tournament since suffering back problems and Rybakina stressed that the separation from Vukov was routine, saying: “We are good with Stefano.” I also wish him all the best in his new chapter.”

Sabalenka will play the opening singles match against Zheng Qinwen on Saturday before Rybakina takes on Jasmine Paolini.

The other group consists of Swiatek, Gauff, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and Jessica Pegula.

An undefeated champion would earn a record $5.16 million (around £4 million).