Coco Gauff concluded the 2024 tennis season on a monumental high, clinching one of the most significant trophies of her career thus far. The 20-year-old American secured a thrilling victory in the final of the WTA Finals, defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in a gripping three-set match. The win marked the culmination of a remarkable year for Gauff, but even as her season ended with that triumphant achievement, the controversy surrounding the decision to host the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia continues to echo through the tennis world.
Earlier this year, the WTA entered into a three-year agreement with Saudi Arabia, naming the country as the host for the prestigious event. While this announcement initially sparked enthusiasm among some corners of the tennis community, it was soon met with a wave of protests and strong opposition. The idea of hosting the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stirred up a great deal of controversy, particularly given the country’s human rights record and its position on gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social issues.
Tennis icons such as Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were among the most vocal critics, repeatedly expressing their disapproval of Saudi Arabia’s selection as the tournament host. Their concerns centered on the country’s human rights practices, its repression of women’s rights, and its stance on issues like the death penalty and LGBTQ+ discrimination. Evert and Navratilova, both passionate advocates for equality and human rights, argued that staging the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia sent a troubling message, one that could potentially undermine the values of equality and fairness that the sport of tennis stands for. They contended that bringing the event to Riyadh represented a significant step backward for the sport, which had long prided itself on championing inclusion and progress.
The controversy surrounding the tournament reached new heights when, in January of 2024, Coco Gauff herself addressed the situation publicly. “I know the situation there isn’t great,” Gauff said, speaking candidly about her concerns. “Definitely don’t support the situation there.” These remarks made it clear that Gauff, despite her participation in the tournament, harbored reservations about the location and its associated implications. Nevertheless, despite these concerns, the WTA Finals concluded without any major incidents, and Gauff was able to claim the $4.8 million prize for her victory.
This prize money marked a historic moment for women’s tennis, as it was the first time in history that the pay in both the ATP and WTA Finals was nearly identical. For Gauff, this victory was both a financial windfall and a personal achievement, as the $4.8 million she earned pushed her career earnings to an impressive total of $21,581,989. This milestone made her the fourth player born after the year 2000 to surpass the $20 million mark in career earnings, joining the ranks of other tennis stars such as Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, and Jannik Sinner.
However, the glowing prize money and career milestones were not enough to silence the critics who believed Saudi Arabia’s role as the host country was part of a broader strategy to “sportswash” its reputation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a detailed 95-page report that shed light on how Saudi Arabia used the WTA Finals, along with other high-profile events, to promote a positive image of the country. HRW claimed that Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports sponsorships and its involvement in hosting global events served as a form of “sportswashing,” allowing the country to deflect attention away from its human rights violations and its poor treatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Stanis Elsborg, the head of the Play the Game initiative, remarked that by investing heavily in women’s sports, Saudi Arabia was attempting to send a message to both its domestic population and the international community that it was making strides in gender equality. However, Elsborg also pointed out that this effort was designed to divert attention from the country’s widespread human rights violations, particularly its systemic discrimination against women and LGBTQ+ individuals. “They want us to focus on the good things they’re doing for world sports, and the things they’re doing for women’s sports,” Elsborg said, adding that the country hoped to shift the conversation away from its controversial practices.
Minky Worden, HRW’s global initiatives director, highlighted the stark reality that many women in Saudi Arabia still cannot make decisions about their lives without the consent of a male relative. She also pointed to the disappointing turnout of female spectators at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, suggesting that the lack of female representation in the stands was a reflection of the deep-rooted societal structures in Saudi Arabia that limit women’s freedom. This, Worden argued, was a powerful reminder of how much work remained to be done in the country to achieve true gender equality.
As for Gauff, despite her strong support for human rights and her commitment to fighting for the LGBTQ+ community, she admitted to having some reservations about the trip to Saudi Arabia. “I would be lying to you if I said I had no reservations,” Gauff confessed. “Obviously, you know who I am and the things I speak about…First, for the LGBTQ+ community, for me, it’s always a community I’m going to fight for. I have family, friends (who are) part of this community. I hear your concerns.” However, Gauff also acknowledged that change often starts with small steps and that her participation in the event could serve as a way to inspire change from within. “I really do feel like, in order to ignite change, you have to start little by little,” she said. Gauff’s hope was that her presence and success in Saudi Arabia could serve as an inspiration to women in the region, encouraging them to take up the sport and believe in their own power to create change.
Despite the tense atmosphere surrounding the event, Gauff’s victory was a triumph in every sense. When asked about her windfall after winning the title, Gauff’s reaction was one of pure astonishment. “That’s a lot of money,” she remarked, her surprise evident as she processed the staggering prize money. The $4.8 million was a record for the WTA Finals, and Gauff was understandably overwhelmed by the financial windfall. This victory not only capped off a successful season for Gauff but also solidified her status as one of the leading figures in women’s tennis.
After the final, Gauff appeared somewhat emotional. When asked about her reaction after winning, she admitted, “At the end of the match, when I, like, fell on the floor, I didn’t think I was going to do that. I kind of, like, made a promise to myself that I will only save that for Grand Slams. But honestly, to the way the match went, I was like, ‘I’m just tired. I just want to lay on the ground.’” The emotional release was a testament to the hard work and perseverance that had led her to this point, and the overwhelming relief she felt after such a hard-fought victory.
In the days following her victory, Gauff also took to social media to poke fun at the critics who had questioned her performance throughout the season. “Lol, safe to say I beat the bad season allegations,” she tweeted, referencing the doubts that had surrounded her year. With three titles under her belt, including the prestigious WTA Finals, Gauff proved that she was not only one of the best players in the world but also a player with the mental toughness to overcome adversity.
When looking back at Gauff’s 2024 season, it’s clear that she achieved a great deal, both on and off the court. Her remarkable victories and career earnings have solidified her place in tennis history, and as she moves into 2025, the future looks incredibly bright for the young American star. How would you rate Gauff’s 2024 season out of 10? Based on her impressive achievements and her ability to navigate the complex challenges of the year, one might argue that Gauff’s season was nothing short of a 10.