Aryna Sabalenka says Saudia Arabia is a ‘way, way better’ place to host WTA Finals than Cancun

A potential move of the WTA Finals to Saudia Arabia has sparked a backlash but reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has backed any potential switch.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka serves against Czech Republic's Brenda Fruhvirtova during their women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Amidst a barrage of backlash over a mooted move for the WTA Finals to be played in Saudi Arabia, world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka has instead welcomed the idea declaring the Middle Eastern nation “way better than Cancun”.

Women’s tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova this week penned an open letter to WTA Board Members urging them not to play its crown jewel event in Riyadh as is expected.

In the letter, Evert and Navratilova wrote: “Allowing Saudi Arabia to host the WTA finals is entirely incompatible with the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis”.

Sabalenka was asked for her view after she thrashed Czech qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-3 6-2 on Wednesday night to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka serves against Czech Republic's Brenda Fruhvirtova during their women's singles match on day four of the Australian Open. Picture: David Gray/AFP.

The 2023 Australian Open champion played in the Riyadh Season Cup in December.

“Yeah it was an amazing experience actually,” Sabalenka said.

“I expected something different. They treated us really well. It was really amazing atmosphere in the stadium.

“People are really like sport people there. They really like tennis. The atmosphere was incredible.

“The level of hospitality was definitely way, way, way better than it was in Cancun. Yeah, I’m happy to go there.”

Again, @Martina and @ChrissieEvert set the agenda for women's tennis. Their joint letter in opposition of placing the @WTA Finals in Saudi: https://t.co/3wrxKMzs8D

— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) January 17, 2024

Cancun played host to the 2023 WTA Finals last November in a tournament marred by horrible weather conditions.

Sabalenka, then ranked world No.1, said she felt “disrespected” and “not safe” while playing in the tournament.

“Honestly, it’s another level of disrespect from the WTA for the players,” she said in November.

“Sometimes, I don’t even feel safe to move on this court.

“That’s not the level I expect from the WTA Finals. Thank you for this challenge I’m facing right now of having to learn to adapt quickly to the conditions.

“Thank you for that. But this is not something I expect from such a high level tournament.”