WTA chief says 'big issues' going to Saudi Arabia, but ruling nothing out

LONDON : Saudi Arabia still poses "big issues" as a host for Women's Tennis Tour events but the organisation's chairman and CEO Steve Simon says they are engaging with players and evaluating whether to follow other sports to the Gulf state.

"We haven't made any decisions or entered in to any formal negotiations. They're talking to a lot of people and a lot of different sports right now. We're evaluating like everybody else," Simon told reporters at an event in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the WTA.

Men's ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said last week that he had held discussions with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and other potential investors about the possibility of staging events in the country.

Saudi Arabia's increasing influence in the world of sport despite its record on women's rights and those of the LGBTQ community has led to accusations of 'sports-washing'.

But Simon points to the success of WTA tournaments in Qatar and says Saudi Arabia has made 'huge strides'.

"It's a very difficult and challenging topic that's being measured by many groups right now," Simon said.

"In February I went to Saudi Arabia to see it for myself. We took a couple of players as well. We wanted to see what the change was. There are still tons of issues in Saudi Arabia but the advancement for women's rights and where they are coming from is transformational right now.

"They have a long way to go, but they've made huge strides."

Simon would not speculate on what kind of tournaments could potentially be held in Saudi Arabia, if at all.

"It all depends on what the opportunity is. Is it an existing regular Tour event or is it something special? Is there another approach of involvement that's there?" he said.

"I