American world quantity 4 Jessica Pegula mentioned doing business with Saudi Arabia may help the WTA in its quest to make sure equal prize cash however it would rigorously consider following different sports activities to the Gulf state.
Saudi Arabia has pumped large quantities of cash into soccer, Formula One and boxing lately whereas the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit not too long ago ended its two-year dispute with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour by asserting a merger.
WTA chairman Steve Simon mentioned on Friday there have been nonetheless “big issues” with Saudi Arabia as potential hosts for WTA occasions and the governing physique of girls’s tennis had not but made any selections or entered into negotiations with the nation.
“I’m sure we’ll talk and go about it,” WTA participant council member Pegula advised reporters forward of Wimbledon.
Men and ladies get equal prize cash on the 4 Grand Slams. WTA Tour occasions, nevertheless, have usually provided much less prize cash than these on the separate males’s ATP circuit, however the WTA final week introduced plans to handle the problem with a brand new technique.
“If they (Saudi Arabia) could help getting us to equal prize money, though there are negatives, there’s a lot of positives that can come out of it,” Pegula added.
“Hopefully we don’t just look at the negatives and we can see the positives. Hopefully something good comes out of it the right way.”
Men’s ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi mentioned final month he held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and different potential buyers on tasks together with infrastructure, occasions and know-how funding.
Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of utilizing the PIF to have interaction in “sportwashing” amid criticism of its human rights report. The nation denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its nationwide safety by its legal guidelines.
Men’s world primary Carlos Alcaraz mentioned he would don’t have any doubts about competing there, whereas former Grand Slam champion John McEnroe mentioned tennis shouldn’t search Saudi funding.
Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray mentioned he must assume twice about taking part in in Saudi Arabia after refusing previously to take part in exhibition occasions there.
“It’s tough because… there’s obviously issues there. I also think there’s issues in a lot of countries. Sometimes things don’t get talked about as well,” Pegula mentioned.
“… I trust Steve to make the right decision on what he feels is best for the WTA.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com