On the one hand, a fabulous treasure that opens up to the eight best tennis players of the season, on the other hand, controversy and embarrassment from the host country. These are the topics that raise the ongoing Tournament of Champions in Riyadh.
There has never been anything like this. Record prize money is being paid out at the Tournament of Champions this year. In total, the organizers will give away 15.25 million dollars, i.e. about 355 million crowns. The singles winner can get a third of that if she reaches the finals undefeated.
Generous subsidies and luxurious services are one of the reasons why the WTA management agreed with Riyadh to host the tournament for three years.
And some players are downright excited about it so far. For example, the current world number one of Belarus, Aryna Sabalenková.
“It’s crazy, so much money. But finally, we all deserve it. We all work just as hard and make maybe even bigger sacrifices for this sport than men,” said the winner of two Grand Slams this year.
With this subsidy, the earnings of men and women were equalized for the next top event. Also, the top eight tennis players at the Tournament of Champions in Turin, Italy will share the same amount of money.
“That’s the reason why I want to be world number one, to dominate this sport. It’s a chance for us to do something, to defend the interests of women, to fight for equality of financial rewards,” declared the tennis player, who replaced the Polish Iga Šwiateková on the throne.
At the same time, the host countries arouse passions in the tennis world. The legend Martina Navrátilová, whose name bears the trophy for the winners of the doubles competition, refused to come to the finals of the WTA circuit ahead of time and hand over the award. She is bothered by the political direction of the country and the lack of respect for human rights.
“If I leave out the trip to North Korea, there probably couldn’t have been a more dramatic change in the organization of this tournament. We are naive if we think that with this step we will change something in that country,” thinks the tennis legend from Řevnice, and was supported by her former rival, the American Chris Evert.
But it is precisely this opinion that Sabalenková wants to refute with her participation in Riyadh.
“I have no problem playing here. I think it’s important to bring this sport to the whole world and inspire the young generation. The amount of space they dedicate to women’s sports here is amazing. I’m happy to be a part of it,” added the Belarusian.
Tournament of champions on Canal+ Sport
You can watch all matches from Riyadh on the station from November 2 Canal+ Sport2. Live broadcasts will be linked by live studios. Former champions Lucie Šafářová, Andrea Hlaváčková, Lucie Hradecká, Barbora Strýcová, Klára Koukalová and Kristýna Plíšková will appear as experts, commentators or reporters.
Special guests are also invited: sports psychologist Michal Šafář or promoter Tomáš Petera. In the studio before the singles final on Saturday, November 9, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitová promised to participate.
You might be interested: A montage of Barbora Krejčíková with Iga Šwiateková at the Tournament of Champions:
Editing of the Krejčíková – Šwiateková match at the Tournament of Champions 2024 | Video: Canal+ Sport
