Pegula wants to look at ‘positives’ of Saudi deal
American world number four Jessica Pegula said doing business with Saudi Arabia can help the WTA in its quest to ensure equal prize money but it will carefully evaluate following other sports to the Gulf state.
Saudi Arabia has pumped huge amounts of money into soccer, Formula One and boxing in recent years while the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit recently ended its two-year dispute with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour by announcing a merger.
WTA chairman Steve Simon said on Friday there were still "big issues" with Saudi Arabia as potential hosts for WTA events and the governing body of women's tennis had not yet made any decisions or entered into negotiations with the country.
"I'm sure we'll talk and go about it," WTA player council member Pegula told reporters ahead of Wimbledon.
Men and women get equal prize money at the four Grand Slams. WTA Tour events, however, have often offered less prize money than those on the separate men's ATP circuit, but the WTA last week announced plans to address the issue with a new strategy.
"If they (Saudi Arabia) could help getting us to equal prize money, though there are negatives, there's a lot of positives that can come out of it," Pegula added.
"Hopefully we don't just look at the negatives and we can see the positives. Hopefully something good comes out of it the right way."
Men's ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said last month he held discussions with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other potential investors on projects including infrastructure, events and technology investment.
Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of using the PIF to engage in "sportwashing" amid criticism of its human rights record. The country denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.
Men's world number one Carlos Alcaraz said he would have no doubts about competing there, while former Grand Slam champion John McEnroe said tennis should not seek Saudi investment.
Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said he would have to think twice about playing in Saudi Arabia after refusing in the past to participate in exhibition events there.
"It's tough because... there's obviously issues there. I also think there's issues in a lot of countries. Sometimes things don't get talked about as well," Pegula said.
"... I trust Steve to make the right decision on what he feels is best for the WTA."
(责任编辑:关于我们)
-
In 2007, Flickr was the most popular dedicated photo-sharing site on the web, and growing exponentia ...[详细]
-
Seoul, Pyongyang restore cross
An official of South Korea's Ministry of Unification calls with his North Korean counterpart at the ...[详细] -
Seoul spy agency: No sign North Korean leader has been vaccinated
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Yonhap There is no sign that North Korean leader Kim Jo ...[详细] -
经居民推荐和社区考察,昨18)日,市区育才路社区48户文明家庭新鲜出炉,社区召开大会为文明家庭代表颁发了荣誉证书。 据了解,受到表彰的文明家庭有下岗工人之家、普通居民之家、高级知识分子之家、教师之家 ...[详细]
-
Best smartphone deal: Google Pixel 8a on sale for $449 at Amazon
SAVE $50:As of August 27, get the Google Pixel 8a for $449, down from $499, at Amazon. That's 10% of ...[详细] -
Seoul, Pyongyang restore cross
An official of South Korea's Ministry of Unification calls with his North Korean counterpart at the ...[详细] -
North Korea's food shortage to worsen in next 4 months: UN report
Farmers on the Chongsan-ri Cooperative Farm in Nampho, North Korea, start planting rice for this yea ...[详细] -
Here are 10 items to keep an eye out for on Amazon Prime Day
Prime Day is almost here! It only comes once a year. And for many of us, it's the time to scoop up t ...[详细] -
老街社区“爱心助老餐吧”供应午餐8月21日下午,雨城区东城街道水中社区内,不少居民早早来到课堂,准备参加瑜伽课。这是水中社区开办的社区学堂,除了瑜伽,茶艺、书法、古琴等课程也深受社区居民的喜爱,人气火 ...[详细]
-
President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un / Korea Times fileInter-Korean military ho ...[详细]
- The Future of Tech: The Desktop PC
- Raducanu out of US Open as Nadal survives scare
- 'According to my calculations' is the latest hot take meme
- North Korea warns of heat wave's impact on crops
- Revolutionary grid
- North Korea warns youth against adopting foreign speaking habits, lifestyles
- Uber wants to build a better map. Next stop? Australia.