Diamond Member Pelican Press 0 Posted November 7, 2024 Diamond Member Share Posted November 7, 2024 This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up WTA Finals 2024: How is Saudi Arabia tournament unfolding – and what do players think? Homosexuality is ******** in Saudi Arabia, while Amnesty International has cited the country’s “jailing of women’s rights activists, suppression of free speech and rampant use of the ****** penalty”. BBC Sport asked all eight singles players the same question: “Did you personally have any reservations or concerns about coming here given the record on human rights, particularly around women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community?” The responses were varied, although there was the sense that players felt free to speak without ***** of repercussions. Many said they hoped they could help bring about change. Several referenced calls that had taken place between players and the WTA, with Jessica Pegula – a member of the WTA’s player council – saying there was “a lot of debate back and forth”. Zheng Qinwen, Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini all suggested showcasing top-level women’s sport could be a good example within Saudi Arabia. Swiatek said she was trying to “observe and learn how everything works”, while Sabalenka said: “I saw everything here is quite chill. “Me personally, I don’t have any issues playing here. I think it’s really important to bring tennis all around the world and inspire [the] young generation.” Gauff’s response drew on her family’s experience of the move away from ******* segregation in the ******* States. “Knowing from the past from my grandmother, integrating her school, people aren’t going to like it, but in the long run I think it could be better for everybody,” she said. But the 20-year-old added: “If I felt uncomfortable or felt like nothing’s happening, then maybe I probably wouldn’t come back.” This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up #WTA #Finals #Saudi #Arabia #tournament #unfolding #players This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up 0 Quote Link to comment https://hopzone.eu/forums/topic/162715-wta-finals-2024-how-is-saudi-arabia-tournament-unfolding-%E2%80%93-and-what-do-players-think/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
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