Daria Kasatkina is the most visible gay player on the tour. Photo: Getty Images/Robert Prange
Same-sex couples will be allowed to share rooms when the WTA Finals move to Saudi Arabia later this season, a tour spokesman said.
In a statement highlighting Middle's growing influence East in tennis, the WTA confirmed today that Riyadh will host the final for the next three years. The prize pool will start at $15.25 million, matching the expected payout for the men's final in Turin and setting a new record for a women's tour event.
One of the problems with this decision is that homosexuality of any kind is prohibited under Sharia law. “It’s hard to talk about it,” said Daria Kasatkina, the tour’s most visible gay member, when the topic came up last summer. “I don’t think it’s all about money.”
But Marina Storti, chief executive of WTA Ventures, told Telegraph Sport that “we were assured that everyone would be welcome in Saudi Arabia, regardless of sexual orientation or religion.” . If same-sex couples are traveling to Riyadh and they want to share hotel rooms, they will be accommodated.”
Storti was also asked about the vocal opposition to Saudi Arabia that was expressed in January by tennis legends Chris Evert and Martin Navratilova. In a joint column published in the Washington Post, Evert and Navratilova said: “Holding the tournament there would represent a significant step backward, damaging not only to women's sports, but to women as well.”
In response, Storti said: “We discussed this with Chris and Martina, I have huge respect for the legends of the game. We talked, listened to their concerns, shared everything with the players, read the letters they sent us. We still have a good relationship with them, but we needed to make the right decision for the players, the fans and the tour.”
The decision comes amid a turbulent few weeks over the past few weeks. tennis politics as the four Grand Slam tournaments attempt to develop a streamlined “Premium Tour” consisting of 15 high-level events.
Meanwhile, Andrea Gaudenzi, who runs the ATP Tour, is auctioning off the tenth Masters 1000 tournament, and most insiders expect Riyadh to also win the competition.
According to Under the terms of the deal, the WTA Finals will take place from November 2 to 9 and will remain in Riyadh for at least two more seasons. The top eight singles and doubles players will qualify and the prize money is expected to rise in line with the ATP Finals over the remainder of the contract.
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