Coco Gauff admits to having had “reservations”

The American Coco Gauff, who is playing the Women's Tennis Masters in Saudi Arabia from Saturday, admitted to having had “reservations” about holding the event in the conservative kingdom, adding, however, that she believes that sport contributes to making move things around.

“I would be lying to you if I said that I had no reservations… One of the things I said (during discussions ahead of the tournament) was that even if it meant coming here, we couldn't be satisfied to play and leave. We must have a real program, a real plan,” declared the world number three, Coco Gauff, while the kingdom is often criticized by NGOs for its human rights violations, particularly against women. Because, for the 20-year-old player, who in the past has been involved in her own country on the issue of minority rights, sport can help advance certain struggles.

“Obviously, I'm very aware of the (human rights) situation here in Saudi Arabia. My view is that sport can be a way to open doors for people… I think for want changes, you have to see things for yourselves,” she commented during a press conference on Friday in Riyadh.

“It's one of the things I want to see with my own eyes, see if it's changing. If I feel uncomfortable or if I feel like nothing's changing, then it's likely I won't come back not”, added Coco Gauff, specifying that her discussions upstream had focused in particular on the rights of women but also of LGBTQ+.

The WTA professional circuit has signed a three-year contract with the Saudi Federation to hold the Women's Masters at the end of the season in the kingdom. Also questioned, the world number one, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, said she had “no problem playing here”.

Sabalenka not bothered by holding the Masters in Saudi Arabia

“I came to play an exhibition match with Ons (Jabeur, last year) and I saw that everything was rather relaxed… The efforts they are making for women's sport is incredible and I “I'm really impressed,” she said. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has undertaken vast reforms in recent years, focusing in particular on tourism and sport to open up internationally and diversify its economy, which is very dependent on oil.

But if, for example, Saudi women now have the right to drive, the personal status law which came into force in 2022 still contains discriminatory provisions.