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King Saud University Indoor Arena: Coco Gauff, currently ranked world number three, has expressed hope that the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia could “open doors” and pave the way for women’s progress and positive change in the conservative kingdom.

However, she candidly admitted she had her reservations about the WTA’s recent three-year partnership with the Saudi Tennis Federation to host the season-ending tournament in Riyadh. Gauff emphasised that while she feels the power of sport can foster positive change, she remains cautious and hopes the event will inspire genuine progress.

The inaugural WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia are set to be held at King Saud University Indoor Arena starting Saturday. This marks a historic move for women’s tennis as it expands into a region known for restrictive laws on women’s rights and freedom of expression. The decision has not been without controversy, as critics argue that the WTA’s choice risks compromising its commitment to gender equality and freedom by bringing women’s sport to a country still navigating these issues.