martina navratilova and chris evert among the most vocal critics of this. billiejean king who feels that actually, if you want to make a change, then go to the country. she is supportive of tennis being played in saudi arabia. so some conflicting views in this — likely to draw reaction know at the events in the coming weeks as we hear from more top players. but certainly an interesting move today in terms of saudi arabia's increasing influence in sport. danielle collins saw off defending champion ons jabeur in a tight tussle as she moved through to the round of 16 at the charleston open. the world number 22 who won the miami open last month saw her streak of 17 straight sets end and with the tunisianjabeurfighting back in the final set. but collins dug deep fora 6—3,1—6, 6—3 win and she'll now play fellow american sloane stephens for a place in the quarterfinals. rafael nadal has withdrawn from the upcoming monte carlo masters where the 22—time grand slam winner was expected to make his atp tour comeback. writing on the social media platform x nadal said, "

top form applies, martina navratilova and chris evert, have previously said that taking the crown jewels be a step backward, given the reputation for human rights violations and oppressing women. critics of saudi arabia have long accused of using events to sport wash its reputation, something it has denied. but there are current players who are excited to play in saudi arabia, and they will no doubt be pleased by the record prize money being offered. steve simon, head of the women's tennis association, said that by choosing riyadh to host the finals for the next three years, women's tennis would be supporting significant change being made within the region, and he said he hoped it would inspire more women and young girls to take up the sport. the wider context of all of this is of course saudi arabia's growing influence in global sport, having invested billions of pounds in football, formula 1, tennis and golf. so investment in tennis from saudi arabia has seemed inevitable, but so has controversy surrounding any decision to welcome that, particularly with the showpiece women's event.— p

rights and restricts women's lives and freedom of speech. tennis legends martina navratilova and chris everttaking the finals there would be a "step backward" for women's tennis. the wta chief executive steve simon insists the sport is "supporting significant change" in the kingdom, although perhaps another clue to the move is found in the prize money, up 5 million pounds on last year, and also more than the men's atp finals in 2023. laura scott is our sports news correspondent, laura it marks another saudi foray into sport. opposition to the move but the wta was set up partly to improve the financial viability of the women's game, and this certainly does this. tennis is nowjoining a growing list of sports turning to saudi arabia for investment and for hosting major events. this is not the first time an official tennis event will be held in saudi arabia. saudi arabia held in saudi arabia. saudi arabia held atp nexgen finals at the end of last year for the up—and—coming men's players, but this is really significant because this is the season and finals and features the top eight women's singl