Chris Evert and John McEnroe have both publicly stated their opposition to Saudi investment in tennis. “I think it’s sports washing,” stated American legend Evert. “I don’t think we need to go there.’
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi last week revealed he had been involved in “positive” talks with the Public Investment Fund over Saudi investment in tennis. World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he will play in the Kingdom while Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “SIGN ME UP”.
Tennis would be the latest sport to benefit from Saudi cash after the PIF bought Newcastle United and struck a deal with PGA and DP World Tours. Cristiano Ronaldo has been followed by Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante in signing for clubs in the Saudi Pro League. But speaking on an ESPN conference call, McEnroe said: “It looked to me like the PGA were total hypocrites when they cut a deal after they’ve been fighting them, in my opinion.
“At the same time the people that are complaining about it, a lot of the people are hypocrites because our government does business with them along with tons of other hedge funds, wealth funds, down the list, people that have dealings. What about Ronaldo? He’s being paid a couple hundred million a year. They have been buying players in other sports, bought boxing fights, you name it.
“I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf. I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing, per se. It’s not in my hands.”
Andy Murray is the only top player who has stated he would not play in Saudi Arabia because of his concerns over human rights. His representative, Matt Gentry revealed last year that Murray had rejected an eye-watering offer from Saudi Arabia.
“He’s turned down stuff in Saudi; I don’t think he will play there just because of what’s gone on,” Gentry said last year. “If he feels strongly about something he will happily call it out. He’s not scared to voice his opinion.
“They have done a few exhibition matches where they have paid eye-watering sums of money to get players over there and he just wasn’t interested. For turning up and playing a match, if you are a former No 1 player in the world, in the Middle East you could potentially earn $1 million to $2 million.
“That’s for the top players, the big global names, and I think golf is pretty similar.”
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