Russia’s Daria Kasatkina has expressed reservations about competing in any future WTA tournaments in Saudi Arabia, saying “not everything is about money”, amid experiences the Gulf State could also be set to plough enormous quantities of money into the game.
Saudi Arabia has made huge investments in soccer, Formula One, boxing and golf in recent times and ATP Tour chief Andrea Gaudenzi mentioned he had held discussions with its Public Investment Fund (PIF) on numerous tasks.
WTA Chairman Steve Simon mentioned final week there have been nonetheless “big issues” with Saudi Arabia as potential hosts for WTA occasions, although girls’s world No.6 Ons Jabeur mentioned she would “100%” compete there if it benefited the gamers.
Critics have accused Saudi Arabia, the place homosexuality is prohibited, of utilizing the PIF to have interaction in “sportwashing” within the face of heavy criticism of the nation’s document on human rights.
Kasatkina, who got here out as homosexual final yr, mentioned there have been many points regarding the nation.
“Honestly, tough to talk about,” the world quantity 10 informed reporters after reaching the third spherical at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
“It’s easier for the men because they feel pretty good there. We don’t feel the same way. Money talks in our world right now. For me, I don’t think that everything is about the money.”
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios welcomed the news of the ATP’s discussions on funding from Saudi Arabia and mentioned it might carry gamers the monetary rewards they deserved.
Kasatkina didn’t share his stance.
“Also, as Nick Kyrgios said, he would be so happy to go there just for a big cheque. For me, money is not the number one priority in this case.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
