The **WTA Finals** are one of the most highly anticipated events of the tennis season, but this year’s tournament in **Riyadh, Saudi Arabia**, has faced its fair share of challenges and controversies, despite the exciting line-up of the world’s top players.
At the center of the action is **Aryna Sabalenka**, who has taken the top spot in women’s tennis after ousting **Iga Świątek** from the No. 1 position just before the season-ending event. The Belarusian has proven herself to be in top form, storming into the semi-finals with dominant wins over **Qinwen Zheng** and **Jasmine Paolini** in the round-robin stage. Her impressive performances make her the player to watch as the tournament progresses, but the event has not been without its challenges, both on and off the court.
### **Attendance Woes: A Disappointing Start in Riyadh**
One of the key points of contention surrounding the **WTA Finals** has been the poor attendance in Riyadh. While the matches are featuring some of the best players in the world, the crowds have been shockingly sparse. On **day two of the tournament**, only around **400 spectators** were present to watch an exciting match between American stars **Coco Gauff** and **Jessica Pegula** — a disappointing turnout for an event of this stature.
These attendance numbers have sparked conversation, with many questioning whether Saudi Arabia, despite its large investment in hosting high-profile sporting events, has fully embraced tennis and whether the local fanbase is ready to support such a major tournament. As one of the richest nations in the world, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in attracting international sporting events, including Formula 1 races, boxing matches, and golf tournaments, but tennis has a much smaller foothold in the region.
### **Judy Murray Defends Tennis in Saudi Arabia**
Amidst the criticism surrounding the tournament’s location and the attendance issues, **Judy Murray**, the mother of **Andy Murray**, has spoken out in defense of tennis in Saudi Arabia. Despite her son turning down opportunities to play in the country during his career, Judy has praised the hospitality and the passion for the sport she has encountered in Riyadh.
“I’ve been able to share with him what my experience here is,” Judy Murray said in an interview with **BBC 5 Live Sport**. “And I would say to anyone who might have any concern about us coming here, I would say come over and see for yourself, you will be blown away by the hospitality, and the welcome, and the passion for making change.”
Murray, who has been actively involved in growing the sport of tennis at all levels, spoke of the genuine enthusiasm she has seen for the game in Saudi Arabia. She also highlighted the positive interactions she’s had with local women, mentioning a recent message from a Saudi fan who expressed her excitement about attending one of Judy’s classes. “I had on my Instagram a message from a local Saudi woman who said, ‘I’m coming to your class this afternoon, I met you two years ago at Princess Nourah University and I can’t wait to see you again, thank you for coming to our country,’” Murray shared.
Judy’s comments underscore the desire for **tennis development** in the region. There is a growing passion for the sport among local communities, and there is clear intent to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia, particularly among women. With the country’s ambitious push to modernize and diversify its economy through initiatives like **Vision 2030**, tennis and other sports are seen as key areas to foster growth and engage the youth population.
### **Saudi Arabia’s Push to Grow Tennis: A Long-Term Investment**
While the **WTA Finals** have not yet delivered the level of attendance hoped for by organizers, there is a clear long-term vision to cultivate a tennis culture in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has invested heavily in building new sports infrastructure and hosting global events, but the success of these ventures will depend on the engagement of local communities. The WTA Finals represent just the beginning of what Saudi Arabia hopes will be a broader commitment to growing tennis, particularly for women, who are increasingly being encouraged to participate in sports.
Judy Murray is optimistic about the progress she’s witnessed. “There is a massive desire to grow tennis here, there’s a massive passion for the sport, and it really is opening things up to the local people,” she said. The fact that women in Saudi Arabia are taking to the courts is a significant step forward for the country, which has long been criticized for its strict gender norms. The presence of the **WTA Finals** and other sports events is helping to break down some of those barriers.
### **Andy Murray’s Skepticism and the Changing Landscape**
While Judy Murray is optimistic about the potential for tennis to flourish in Saudi Arabia, her son, **Andy Murray**, has been more critical. Murray, who has long been an outspoken advocate for equality in sport, was one of several top male players who chose not to compete in the recent **Saudi-backed tournaments**. He notably commented that “nobody cares” about the **Six Kings Slam**, a reference to the fact that many high-profile tennis players have opted to avoid playing in Saudi Arabia due to human rights concerns.
Murray’s stance highlights the ongoing debate about whether it is appropriate for athletes to participate in events in countries with questionable human rights records. Critics argue that by playing in Saudi Arabia, players may be inadvertently lending credibility to the country’s controversial practices. On the other hand, advocates like Judy Murray see the opportunity for sports to help promote positive change and give local people, especially women, new opportunities.
### **The Road Ahead for the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia**
As the **WTA Finals** continue in Riyadh, attention will no doubt be on how the tournament progresses. While the **attendance numbers** are a key point of concern, it is still early days for tennis in Saudi Arabia. With players like **Sabalenka**, **Gauff**, and **Iga Świątek** all competing in the tournament, there is hope that as the week goes on, crowd numbers will increase. The excitement surrounding the **Sabalenka vs. Świątek** showdown could provide a much-needed boost for the event.
Ultimately, the future of tennis in Saudi Arabia will depend on continued investment, local engagement, and the willingness of top players to support these initiatives. For now, the WTA Finals are serving as an important starting point in the country’s quest to establish itself as a new hub for international sports.
As **Judy Murray** put it, “It’s about opening doors, about giving young girls in Saudi Arabia the opportunity to dream bigger.” Only time will tell if the WTA Finals can live up to that vision, but one thing is certain — the tournament in Riyadh is a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s evolving relationship with tennis.