(London) Like many other sports, the women’s professional tennis circuit is considering the possibility of developing business ties with Saudi Arabia.
And while there’s nothing concrete on the horizon, WTA President and COO Steve Simon said on Friday he visited the country with some players in February as part of a an evaluation process.
“It’s a very difficult and demanding issue that is obviously being analyzed by a lot of different groups right now,” Simon said at an event in London as part of the 50th anniversary of the meeting that led to the creation of the WTA.
He admitted that there are still “a ton of obstacles in Saudi Arabia,” relating to women’s rights and those of the LGBTQ community.
Simon’s comments came days after the WTA, whose offices are located in St. Petersburg, Florida, announced that it would develop “a plan to achieve pay equity” – which would allow men and women to receive the same purses at certain tournaments as early as 2027, including the National Bank Open, and for others in 2033.
Simon said on Tuesday that the currently missing prize pool would come from the events themselves, television rights revenue, statistics and business deals done through WTA Ventures, the women’s tour business arm that was founded last March.
“The Saudis are talking to a lot of people and a lot of sports leagues right now,” Simon said. Everyone is trying to figure out what it means and: How do you deal with it? »
The men’s professional circuit, the ATP, is in talks with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PGA Tour, European Tour and FIP, which funded the LIV Tour, said on June 6 that they had reached a commercial agreement. Many Saudi soccer clubs have also attracted several star players from Europe.
These agreements are, in a way, examples of “sportswashing” – that is, a country like Saudi Arabia trying to restore its image in the eyes of the international community through investments in sport. professional.
On Friday, Simon responded somewhat to this reproach by indicating that it was an opportunity to improve human rights in Saudi Arabia. Words that echoed those of Quebec driver Lance Stroll, questioned on this subject a few weeks ago on the sidelines of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada.
“You want them to do what they say right now, and help advance women’s rights in their country,” Simon explained. You have to encourage it. We cannot look away. »
Billie Jean King, who is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and human rights activist, said during a discussion on Friday: “I believe very much in involvement. You can’t change if you don’t get involved… How do we change things if we don’t get involved? »
