Apart from the buzz and excitement around major events, tennis enthusiasts have also been preoccupied with recent news of potential Saudi Arabian investments in tennis. After reports of the ATP next-gen finals being shifted to Jeddah gripped the tennis world, news of Saudi hosting the WTA Finals this year started doing the rounds.

But putting the rumors to rest, it was announced that the WTA Finals 2023 will be held in Cancun, Mexico, from October 29 to November 5. However, a decision regarding stadium investments for the event has left tennis fans in utter dismay.

Fans lambast WTA’s decision to spend $6 million for stadium construction in Cancun

Mexico is all set to host the WTA finals this year, comprising the top 8 players of the world in Cancun, Quintana Roo. The WTA announced that a sum of $6 million has been allotted for the construction of a temporary stadium in Cancun. A further $9 million is allocated for other expenditures of the event, including the prize purse.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to lash out at the WTA administration for spending such an amount for the construction of a temporary stadium.

Trending

10 Years After Backing Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian’s Now $10 Billion Undertaking, Snoop Dogg Receives a Heartfelt Note

May 06, 2024 11:05 AM EDT

Venus Williams Makes a Surprising Revelation About Keeping a Secret From Serena on the Met Gala Red Carpet

May 07, 2024 05:34 PM EDT

‘She Is Double Faulting Outrageously’- Coco Gauff Warned About Dangerous Slump in Form Amid Her Pursuit of A 2nd Grand Slam

May 07, 2024 08:04 PM EDT

Met Gala 2024: Alexis Ohanian Turns Starry-Eyed as Wife Serena Williams’ Golden Goddess Look Grabs All the Attention

May 07, 2024 07:48 AM EDT

Coco Gauff’s Weakness Exposed Using Famous Billie Jean King Reference as Former Serena Williams’ Coach Minces No Words With Her Criticism

May 08, 2024 08:24 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

A fan criticized WTA’s move, while also hitting out at its lack of a proper app and ‘decent website’.

Another voiced their strong displeasure due to this not being a ‘long-term investment’.

One user theorized the reason behind such a move from WTA, alluding to the rumors of a possible Saudi association from next year.

A fan voiced their displeasure by simply referring to WTA as ‘big’ and ‘stupid’.

One accused WTA of ‘money laundering’ and urged for a proper investigation. 

Another claimed that they can ‘fix’ WTA if put in charge.

One strongly criticized the decision, claiming that it made ‘zero sense’.

A fan urged the top 8 players to simply not take part in the event.

A user called out the WTA for its ‘horrific business sense’ and labeled the decision as an ’embarrassment’.

Another expressed their strong dislike for the current chief executive of WTA, Steve Simon.

The attack on WTA’s business sense continued.

One raised question marks on the decision to spend so much on a stadium that won’t be used the following year.

Although Saudi Arabia isn’t hosting the event this year, it seems more likely with each rumor that WTA might shift bases to the country for this event next year onwards. Not long ago, Saudi’s proposal of a colossal prize money bag for the WTA Finals came to the fore.

Unable to Digest $650,000,000,000 Saudi Fund Making In-Road in Tennis, Chris Evert Delivers Poignant Message on WTA’s 50th Anniversary Condemning the Move

Monumental WTA Finals prize money proposed by Saudi Arabia

Although many have voiced their concerns over tennis’ association with Saudi Arabia, it clearly seems like a certainty at this point in time. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia made a tempting offer by bidding a whopping $12 million as prize money alongside another $8 million in staging fees in order to host the WTA Finals in Riyadh. This would triple the current prize money pool of the event, thereby making way for a considerable financial gain for the players as well as the WTA.

Though the WTA decided not to go with Saudi this year, the country remains strongly linked as the preferred destination for the WTA Finals event for next year and possibly in the following years too. What do you feel about WTA’s potential association with Saudi Arabia? Let us know in the comments. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer