John McEnroe criticized the idea of hosting the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, a country not known for respecting women’s rights.
Speculation has it that the potential host for the upcoming WTA Finals is going to be Saudi Arabia. Fearing an intrusion into the sport, tennis legend John McEnroe bashed the WTA for letting Saudi Arabia intrude on its decision-making.
American tennis legend, John McEnroe mocked the idea of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2024 WTA Finals. The plans for hosting the finals of the WTA in the Saudi state were quite prominent in the last season as well. However, the ‘danger’ was somehow managed when Cancún came forth as a potential final destination for the WTA Tour.
Many players came out to criticize the WTA for selecting the Mexican location for the WTA Finals. The players who participated in the competition complained about the lack of ideal playing conditions and the sub-par organization of the tournament. However, the contract for the Finals to be hosted in Cancún was for a single year and the WTA is now looking at alternatives for hosting this year’s finale.
The Saudi Arabian State and its Public Investment Fund (PIF) have turned their attention to Tennis in their ongoing sports expansion scheme. First, it was golf then came Football, and now it is Tennis that is in the spotlight of the Middle Eastern nation. There are rumors that the Miami Open & Madrid Open will be bought out by the PIF in the upcoming months.
John McEnroe made a bold and terse remark on these rumors in a conversation with ESPN. The former American player said that it was ‘laughable’ that the WTA and Tennis are headed in this direction. But, he admitted that he wouldn’t be surprised if the deal went through.
“It wouldn’t shock me. Let’s put it this way: money talks. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t do that. How much was I offered? On second thought maybe I will do that”.”
“I’d be surprised if the Saudis don’t buy those tournaments actually. Not that they will. I’ll be surprised if they don’t have them,” he added.
The American player also commented on the irony of making the female players compete in a nation that is well-recognized for not treating women equally.
“Personally, I disagree with it completely, with the golf and the tennis. The ladies are going to play the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me? Because they treat women so well? That part is to me laughable.”
John McEnroe says the idea of WTA Finals being played in Saudi Arabia is laughable
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 10, 2024
On Saudi Arabia possibly buying Miami Open & Madrid Open:
“It wouldn’t shock me. Let's put it this way… money talks. ‘Oh, no, I wouldn't do that. How much was I offered? On second thought maybe… pic.twitter.com/MfcHhH4xmR
John McEnroe calls the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV circuit merger as ‘Hypocritical’.
John McEnroe in an eminent interview to ESPN called out the PGA Tour for striking a merger deal with its rival LIV.
The 64-year-old stated that the deal between the PGA Tour and its PIF-backed rival LIV Tour was unjustified and hypocritical as the PGA was previously, strictly against it, and now they have ended up in a partnership.
“It looked to me like the PGA were total hypocrites when they cut a deal after they’ve been fighting them.”
He also mentioned that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Saudi State and its PIF show interest in Tennis next.
“I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf.”
