Former No. 1 says since Saudi Arabia’s influence is inevitable, tennis should channel it as force for positive change.
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, January 16, 2024
It’s inevitable Saudi Arabia will be a major player in pro tennis, so the game’s governing bodies should use the partnership to promote positive change, says Caroline Wozniacki.
In the aftermath of her 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 Australian Open second-round loss to 170th-ranked qualifier Maria Timofeeva, Wozniacki was asked her reaction to Rafael Nadal signing on Saudi Tennis Federation ambassador and the prospect of the WTA Finals moving to Saudi Arabia.
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Pointing to the Saudi funded Public Investment Fund already financing tournaments, Wozniacki said since increased Saudi investment is inevitable, tennis should accept it and pursue positive change.
“Honestly, I haven’t read much up on Rafa and what he’s doing, but obviously Saudi is coming into sports in a very strong way,” Wozniacki said. “I think both in golf and football or soccer and now in tennis. 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.”
Saudis are already invested in tennis sponsoring the year-end Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, hosting lucrative exhibitions, reportedly negotiating with IMG to buy either the Miami Open or Mutua Madrid Open or both and growing their own playing population. Critics charge the Kingdom with “sportswashing”, using sport spectacle to obscure human rights violations.
Wozniacki said tennis should try to create positive social change through the partnership.
“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,” Wozniacki said. “I think when you’re put in that situation, you can maybe change, make a change and do something positive.”
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook
