Staging the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia can help to bring change on behalf of gender equality and LGBTQ rights in the kingdom, Coco Gauff said, although the former U.S. Open champion added that she still had some reservations.
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wuhan Open - Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan, China - October 12, 2024 Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her semi final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Florence Lo/File photo
"I'm obviously very aware of the situation here in Saudi. My view on it is that I do think sport can have a way to open doors to people," Gauff told reporters on Friday. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the last few years in high-profile sporting events and professional teams from soccer to golf to Formula One, although critics, including women's rights groups and members of the LGBTQ community, have accused the kingdom of using its Public Investment Fund to"sportswash" its human rights record.
"One of the things I said: 'If we come here, we can't just come here and play our tournament and leave. We have to have a real programme, a real plan in place'.
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